OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, its first-ever AI-powered web browser that deeply integrates its flagship chatbot into the browsing experience, aiming to redefine how people interact with the internet. The launch, announced during a livestream, immediately rattled markets Alphabet shares dropped over 4%, erasing roughly $150 billion in market value within hours.
ChatGPT Atlas debuts on macOS and will soon extend to Windows, iOS, and Android platforms. CEO Sam Altman described the browser as “a once-a-decade chance to rethink what going online means.” Built on Google’s open-source Chromium engine, Atlas combines conversational intelligence with traditional web navigation, allowing users to chat with web pages, summarize articles, or automate actions such as filling out forms and shopping online.
A defining feature is Agent Mode, an advanced automation tool that enables ChatGPT to perform browser tasks autonomously from booking appointments to compiling research data while maintaining user privacy controls. Optional memory features allow Atlas to retain context across sessions, creating a seamless browsing experience akin to having a personalized digital assistant. Users can clear or archive stored AI memories anytime, ensuring transparency and data control.
The move escalates the ongoing AI browser wars. Competitors such as Perplexity’s Comet and Opera’s Arc have recently rolled out AI-native browsing experiences, while Google and Microsoft continue enhancing Chrome and Edge with AI assistants. Yet OpenAI’s Atlas represents the most integrated version of generative AI within a browser to date, blurring the line between search and conversation.
Industry analysts note Atlas could reshape digital advertising by reducing clicks to traditional websites, challenging Google’s dominance in search-based revenue. As Altman put it during the event, “AI won’t just search the web it will be the web.”
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