Google Chrome's AI Assistant Can Now Browse Websites on Your Behalf
Google has unveiled a groundbreaking artificial intelligence feature for its Chrome browser that enables an AI assistant to navigate websites and perform tasks autonomously on behalf of users. This new capability, known as auto browse, leverages Google's advanced Gemini AI technology to open web pages and interact with online content without direct human intervention.
How Auto Browse Works in Chrome
The auto browse functionality allows Chrome users to delegate various web-based activities to the Gemini-powered assistant. According to Charmaine D'Silva, a director of product at Google, individuals can ask the AI to complete tasks such as shopping or comparing prices across different websites without ever leaving the Chrome browser. For example, users planning a family vacation can instruct Gemini to access multiple airline and hotel sites to evaluate options and find the best deals.
Parisa Tabriz, vice president of Chrome, highlighted in a blog post that testers have utilized the feature for a wide range of applications. These include scheduling appointments, filling out online forms, collecting tax documents, obtaining quotes from service providers, checking bill payments, managing subscriptions, and expediting processes like driver's license renewals. Tabriz emphasized that these automated tasks result in significant time savings for users.
Availability and Integration Features
Initially, Chrome's auto browse will be accessible to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the United States. The feature integrates with Google Password Manager to securely sign into websites on the user's behalf, streamlining the authentication process during automated browsing sessions. Additionally, Google is incorporating its image generation tool, Nano Banana, directly into Chrome as part of this rollout.
This development represents the latest effort by Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, to embed AI advancements across its product ecosystem. Earlier this month, Google announced that Gemini can utilize data from Gmail, Search, Photos, and YouTube to provide personalized responses. When combined with the Personal Intelligence feature on Chrome, the Gemini assistant can assist with complex logistics, such as coordinating travel plans by checking school schedules and existing appointments to identify optimal timing.
Safeguards and Security Measures
Google has implemented multiple safeguards to ensure the agentic AI operates within defined boundaries. The company confirmed that the AI will not be able to make final decisions, such as placing orders or completing transactions, without explicit user permission. This precaution is designed to prevent unauthorized actions and maintain user control over critical processes.
Tabriz further explained during a media call that Google employs both AI and on-device models to protect users from evolving online threats, including AI-generated scams and sophisticated cyberattacks. These security measures aim to create a safe browsing environment while harnessing the power of automation.
The introduction of auto browse in Chrome marks a significant step toward more interactive and assistive web experiences, potentially transforming how users manage routine online tasks through intelligent automation.
