OpenAI unveils search browser to rival Google

CHATGPT-MAKER OpenAl this week announced an “Atlas” search browser, leveraging its artificial intelligence (AI) prowess in a direct challenge to Google Chrome. “This is an Al-powered web browser built around ChatGPT,” OpenAl chief Sam Altman said.

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OpenAl has ramped up its challenge to Google, which has responded by rapidly building more AI capabilities into search and across its platform.

Altman and a team of executives demonstrated an “agent” mode that has a chatbot conduct searches on a user's behalf. Altman said that in agent mode, ChatGPT uses the web browser independently, returning with what it finds.

“It’s got all your stuff and is clicking around,” Altman said. “You can watch it or not, you don’t have to, but it’s using the internet for you.”

Atlas went live on Tuesday on computers powered by Apple’s operating system free of charge, but agent mode will only be available to users of paid Plus or Pro versions of ChatGPT, according to Altman.

“We want to bring this to Windows and to mobile devices as quickly as we can,” Altman said.

Some Atlas offerings demonstrated in the stream seemed similar to features already incorporated into Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge internet search browsers.