OpenAI Set to Launch AI-Powered Web Browser, Challenging Google Chrome
by Muskan Kansay - 6 days ago - 2 min read
OpenAI is reportedly set to launch its AI-powered web browser in the coming weeks, signaling a direct challenge to dominant players like Google Chrome. The browser will integrate GPT-4o, OpenAI’s latest multi-modal model, and feature ChatGPT at its core, enabling users to interact with the web through conversational queries instead of traditional search methods.
Unlike existing extensions or sidebar tools, this will be a standalone product. It’s expected to support AI agents such as Operator, which can automate routine tasks like filling out forms or booking appointments, shifting the browser’s role from passive tool to active assistant.
This move comes as Google Chrome holds over 65% of the global browser market and serves more than 3 billion users. Chrome is deeply tied to Alphabet’s ad revenue ecosystem, making OpenAI’s entry a notable disruption.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has consistently emphasized the company’s goal of embedding AI into daily digital experiences. That vision is further reflected in OpenAI’s $6.5 billion acquisition of io, an AI device startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Ive and his firm LoveFrom, are now working with OpenAI and may influence the browser’s design and user experience.
While OpenAI hasn’t confirmed a release date or full feature set, industry sources expect the browser to launch by late July 2025. It will operate independently from Microsoft, despite their ongoing partnership.
The browser’s success will likely hinge on adoption and trust, especially around privacy and data usage. Given the sensitivity of browsing behavior, how OpenAI handles transparency and control will be closely watched.
The idea of a browser that actively assists users is promising. But it also raises questions — how much will it know, and will users be comfortable letting AI handle more of their online activity?
If OpenAI delivers on its goals, this browser could reshape how we access the web. For now, it’s a development worth watching closely.