OpenAI is gearing up to enter the competitive web browser market, with plans to launch its AI-enhanced browser in the coming weeks. If you’re already using tools like ChatGPT, you could soon be surfing the web with a browser designed by the same company.
According to a report from Reuters, three people familiar with the matter say OpenAI’s browser will offer a completely new browsing experience—one that utilises artificial intelligence to assist and interact with users directly, rather than simply redirecting them to other websites.
Built on Chromium, but designed to do more
Sources claim that OpenAI’s browser is based on Chromium, the same open-source foundation that powers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. While this may sound familiar, what makes OpenAI’s browser different is how it aims to handle tasks.
Instead of being a passive tool that loads web pages, the browser is said to come with a built-in chat interface, much like ChatGPT. This feature could allow you to ask questions, summarise content, complete tasks, or search the web—all within the browser window—without the need to navigate away or open multiple tabs.
It may also work hand-in-hand with Operator, OpenAI’s AI assistant unveiled earlier this year, to help you complete tasks like booking flights, shopping online, or even conducting research, all without manually browsing websites yourself.
A deeper push into your daily tech habits
OpenAI’s move into browsers is more than just a product launch—it’s a step towards integrating its technology into your everyday routines. With over 500 million people using ChatGPT every week, even a small percentage of users switching to this new browser could quickly build a strong user base.
If you think about it, OpenAI doesn’t just want to help you with one-off questions. They want to be part of how you search, read, and interact with the internet as a whole. The browser could become a direct line between you and OpenAI’s AI models, making your online experience faster, more personalised, and possibly even more secure, depending on how the company handles data.
That said, having its browser would also give OpenAI access to a wealth of user data, including browsing habits and preferences. This data can be used to improve services or generate revenue, depending on how the company sets its privacy policies and advertising strategies.
Google Chrome’s dominance may soon be tested
Despite the excitement, OpenAI faces a serious challenge. Google Chrome is the world’s most widely used browser, with over 3 billion users globally. Breaking into this market is no small feat.
However, if OpenAI delivers a brilliant, helpful browsing experience, it could pressure Google to rethink its approach to AI in Chrome. At the very least, it might spark innovation across the browser space, leading to more intelligent tools and enhanced user experiences.
In addition to the browser, OpenAI is reportedly working on a social media platform to rival X (formerly Twitter). This project, which features a social feed and built-in image generation capabilities utilising ChatGPT, is currently in the early development phase and is expected to launch further down the line.
For now, though, all eyes are on what OpenAI’s AI browser can deliver—and whether it has what it takes to change how you explore the web.
