OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has introduced a new AI-powered web browser called ChatGPT Atlas, aiming to challenge major competitors like Google, whose Chrome browser remains the most widely used worldwide.
Unlike traditional browsers, Atlas removes the standard address bar and is “built around ChatGPT,” according to CEO Sam Altman. The browser, which launched on Apple’s macOS on Tuesday, is designed to integrate conversational AI directly into the browsing experience.
The release of Atlas marks OpenAI’s latest step in finding new revenue streams and leveraging its rapidly expanding user base. The company revealed that Atlas will feature a paid “agent mode”, allowing the chatbot to perform searches and tasks automatically. This feature, exclusive to paid ChatGPT subscribers, promises faster and more context-aware browsing by using real-time data from user activity.
To further strengthen its ecosystem, OpenAI has recently partnered with several online platforms, including Etsy, Shopify, Expedia, and Booking.com, integrating its AI technology into e-commerce and travel services.
At OpenAI’s DevDay event earlier this month, Altman announced that ChatGPT had reached 800 million weekly active users, doubling from 400 million in February, according to data firm Demandsage.
Industry expert Pat Moorhead, CEO of Moor Insights & Strategy, said early adopters will likely experiment with the new browser but doubted its ability to compete seriously with Chrome or Microsoft Edge, as “mainstream and corporate users will likely wait until their preferred browsers add similar features.” He also noted that Edge already offers many of these AI-powered functions.
OpenAI’s move comes a year after Google was found guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly in online search. However, despite the ruling, Google was not required to separate its Chrome browser, as requested by the U.S. Department of Justice.
As more users turn to large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for information and recommendations, their presence in search activity continues to rise. Research firm Datos reported that as of July, 5.99% of desktop searches were made through LLMs—more than double the percentage from the previous year.
Google, meanwhile, continues to invest heavily in AI and has been prioritizing AI-generated responses in its search results over the past year.
