Google just launched a new feature in Chrome called “Auto Browse.” Powered by its AI model, Gemini 3, this tool can take over your browser to help with online tasks. Think booking flights, finding apartments, or managing expenses—all at your command.
This release shows Google’s push to integrate AI into Chrome. Last year, they introduced the “Gemini in Chrome” mode, which helped answer questions about web content by gathering info from your open tabs. Now, Auto Browse takes it a step further by simplifying online shopping and other tasks.
Currently, Auto Browse is available only in the US for subscribers of Google’s AI Pro and Ultra plans. No word yet on when it will open up to free users or other regions.
In a demo, Charmaine D’Silva, a Chrome product manager, showed how Auto Browse can make online shopping easier. Instead of manually ordering a jacket, D’Silva used the Gemini sidebar to have the tool reorder it and even find a coupon code. This hands-off approach to tasks aims to save users time.
Auto Browse works by executing commands in a separate tab, resembling ghostly clicks. However, Google warns that users must supervise its actions. For sensitive tasks, like social media posts or credit card transactions, the tool will lay out the steps it took and ask for user approval before proceeding.
Using this kind of automation does raise security concerns. There’s a risk of prompt injection attacks from malicious websites, which could trick the AI into unwanted actions. Experts in cybersecurity suggest exercising caution when using automated tools like Auto Browse to avoid potential pitfalls.
Despite my initial skepticism about AI tools designed to ease our digital lives, it will be interesting to see how Auto Browse performs. While many AI offerings can be unreliable, Google’s commitment to enhancing online experiences through innovation is clear. Expect broader access to Auto Browse in the coming months as Google gradually rolls out its features.
If you want to learn more about the impact of AI on web browsing, check out Pew Research’s findings. They report that AI tools are becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, shaping how we interact with technology.
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