OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has introduced a groundbreaking artificial intelligence-powered web browser named ChatGPT Atlas, aiming to compete with industry giants like Google’s Chrome. Launched on Apple’s MacOS operating system, Atlas eliminates the traditional address bar, a staple of conventional browsers, and is designed to integrate seamlessly with ChatGPT. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the browser is ‘built around ChatGPT,’ offering users a unique, AI-driven browsing experience.
Atlas features a paid ‘agent mode’ exclusively for ChatGPT subscribers, enabling the chatbot to autonomously conduct searches and enhance browsing efficiency by leveraging contextual information. This innovation is part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to monetize its AI investments and expand its user base, which has grown to 800 million weekly active users as of October, according to Demandsage.
To further attract users, OpenAI has forged partnerships with e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Shopify, as well as booking services such as Expedia and Booking.com. However, industry experts like Pat Moorhead, CEO of Moor Insights & Strategy, remain skeptical about Atlas’s ability to challenge Chrome or Microsoft Edge, citing the reluctance of mainstream and corporate users to switch from their preferred browsers.
The launch of Atlas coincides with growing scrutiny of Google’s dominance in online search, following a recent ruling that declared the tech giant an illegal monopolist. Despite calls for Google to divest its Chrome browser, no such action was mandated. Meanwhile, the adoption of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for search purposes is on the rise, with Datos reporting that 5.99% of desktop searches now involve LLMs—more than double the figure from a year ago. Google, too, is heavily investing in AI, prioritizing AI-generated answers in its search results.
As OpenAI continues to innovate, the tech industry watches closely to see if ChatGPT Atlas can carve out a significant niche in the competitive browser market.