Google Transforms Chrome Into AI-Powered Browser With Gemini Integration

Google is turning its popular Chrome browser into an AI-powered tool, introducing its Gemini AI assistant directly into the platform as part of a major update. The move comes as the tech giant ramps up competition with Microsoft’s Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the rapidly growing AI space.

The rollout, which began this week for macOS and Windows users in the US, introduces a range of agentic AI features that allow Chrome to analyze web pages, interact with Google apps, and even carry out tasks independently.

Once the update is live, users will notice a Gemini diamond icon in the top-right corner of Chrome. Clicking the icon opens a chatbot window where users can ask questions or issue natural language commands. Google has also embedded AI functionality directly into the address bar, streamlining access to the assistant.

One of Gemini’s standout features is its ability to summarize and consolidate information across multiple open tabs, eliminating the need to jump between pages. It can also recall previously visited sites from a simple description – provided users grant permission to access their browsing history.

In a live demo, Google showcased Gemini’s capabilities by summarizing a YouTube video into bullet points with timestamps and using that summary to create recurring events in Google Calendar. The assistant can also navigate e-commerce websites to add items to shopping carts, though it requires user approval before making any purchases.

This update is widely seen as Google’s push to increase Gemini adoption and secure its position as the leader in AI-driven browsing before competitors gain ground. While Microsoft Edge has offered Copilot integration for months, Chrome’s massive global user base gives Google a significant advantage.

Meanwhile, OpenAI recently introduced Operator, a paid web-browsing agent for ChatGPT subscribers, intensifying the race for dominance in AI-driven search and navigation. However, not all browsers are following this trend – Vivaldi, for example, has rejected AI features, citing concerns that summaries could reduce traffic to source websites and spread misinformation due to AI hallucinations.

Google confirmed that Gemini integration will expand beyond desktop, arriving soon on Android and iOS versions of Chrome, as well as for business users through Google Workspace.

With this update, Chrome is poised to become the first widely available free AI-powered browser, potentially reshaping how millions of people interact with the web.