Google Launches AI Agent in Chrome That Can Browse and Act on Your Behalf
New "auto browse" feature performs multi-step tasks using Gemini
The feature, available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US, represents a significant expansion of Gemini's capabilities within Chrome. Unlike simple chat assistants, auto browse can navigate multiple websites, compare options, and complete actions.
Google says the AI can research hotel and flight costs, schedule appointments, fill out online forms, and handle subscription management. This builds on earlier Gemini integrations that allowed summarizing web content and comparing products across tabs.
Analysis
Why This Matters
This is a major step toward "agentic AI"—AI systems that can take actions in the real world rather than just provide information. Browser automation has enormous potential but also raises questions about control and safety.
Background
Google has been steadily expanding Gemini's presence in Chrome, moving from simple chat to increasingly autonomous capabilities. The company is competing with OpenAI's similar browser-based agent features.
Key Perspectives
Enthusiasts see this as a productivity revolution; skeptics worry about AI making purchases or commitments without proper user oversight.
What to Watch
How users adopt the feature, what guardrails Google implements, and whether competitors match these capabilities.