Legacy browsers like Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera are embedding AI but often as addons.
Comet (Perplexity) and Aura (OpenAI) represent the next frontier: browsers built around agentic AI that can take action—booking, emailing, researching—for users.
These browsers are in beta or invite-only, with wider rollouts planned soon, and they’re vying for pre-install deals and market share.
The competition raises new concerns about privacy, system reliability, pricing, and regulatory oversight.
1. Traditional Browsers Add AI Features
Google’s Chrome is testing Gemini integration in beta, but it’s currently seen as a clunky overlay TechRadar+7Spyglass+7Recap+7.
Microsoft Edge promotes AI-enhanced features like built-in VPN and personalized content, also pushing ads when users attempt to switch to Chrome Tom’s Guide+1Сyber Сorsairs ☠️+1.
Opera rolled out “Aria” and “Browser Operator” for task automation this year Wikipedia+1Syntellix+1.
2. Newcomers: Built‑from‑Scratch AI Browsers
Perplexity’s Comet is a Chromium-based agentic browser offering automation—Gmail, LinkedIn, travel bookings—with early access to Max users. CEO Srinivas claims it can replace roles like recruiters/admins Platformer+11The Verge+11Business Insider+11.
It’s now in discussions to be pre-installed on mobiles by Apple/Samsung to challenge Chrome’s massive 70% share Tom’s Guide+7Reuters+7PC Gamer+7.
OpenAI’s browser, reportedly codenamed “Aura,” will be Chromium-based and tightly integrated with ChatGPT—said to launch “within weeks” PC Gamer+1Gadgets 360+1.
Regulators are watching closely: the DOJ is examining AI’s impact on search competition, potentially forcing Google to divest Chrome or alter default search deals New York Post.
4. Concerns & Challenges
Agentic browsers raise serious privacy concerns due to deep access to emails, tabs, personal data.
