OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered web browser that integrates ChatGPT into the browsing experience, positioning itself as a challenger to Google Chrome, which controls 72% of the global browser market.
Summary
- ChatGPT Atlas removes the traditional address bar, offering a sidebar that can summarize web pages, compare products, and analyze data in real-time.
- A premium feature allows the AI to autonomously perform tasks such as researching, shopping, or booking services.
- The browser positions OpenAI as a potential competitor to Chrome, with analysts noting possible disruption to online advertising and the broader shift toward AI-driven search.
OpenAI unveils ChatGPT Atlas
OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-driven web browser designed to integrate the ChatGPT chatbot directly into the browsing experience. The browser was unveiled on Tuesday and is initially available for Apple macOS, with versions for Windows, iOS, and Android expected in the coming months.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that the browser is “built around ChatGPT” to provide a more seamless AI-driven browsing experience. The company aims to leverage its rapidly expanding user base, now reported at 800 million weekly active users, to attract early adopters to this new platform.
ChatGPT Atlas removes the traditional address bar and centers the interface around AI-driven features. Users can access a ChatGPT sidebar that summarizes webpage content, compares products, or analyzes data in real-time.
A premium “agent mode” allows ChatGPT to perform tasks autonomously, such as researching, shopping, or booking services on e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Shopify, and travel sites including Expedia and Booking.com. During a demo on Tuesday, OpenAI demonstrated the agent mode performing a full grocery purchase through Instacart, autonomously buying all the ingredients for a recipe it found online.
The launch of Atlas positions OpenAI as a direct challenger to Google Chrome, which currently dominates the browser market with nearly 72% global share. Analysts note that ChatGPT Atlas could introduce new competition for online advertising revenue, especially if OpenAI begins monetizing its AI features with targeted ads.
“Integrating chat into a browser is a precursor for OpenAI starting to sell ads, which it has yet to do so far. Once OpenAI starts selling ads that could take away a significant part of search advertising share from Google, which has around 90% of that spend category,” said Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Davidson.
However, some experts remain skeptical about Atlas’s ability to lure mainstream users away from established browsers. Pat Moorhead, CEO of Moor Insights & Strategy, said that casual and corporate users may continue to rely on their preferred browsers, which are increasingly adopting similar AI features.
The browser’s release also reflects the growing trend of AI-driven search, with large language models increasingly used to answer queries and provide recommendations. Recent data shows that nearly 6% of desktop searches now involve AI-powered models, more than doubling over the past year.
