OpenAI unveils AI browser with built-in ChatGPT integration

OpenAI is set to announce its long-rumored AI web browser today during a livestream at 1PM ET, with CEO Sam Altman describing it as “a new product I’m quite excited about!” The browser is expected to integrate OpenAI’s Operator AI agent and ChatGPT directly into the browsing experience, intensifying competition in the emerging AI browser market where Google, Microsoft, and Perplexity are already vying for dominance.

What you should know: OpenAI’s browser announcement comes after months of speculation and development rumors.

• A mysterious teaser featuring browser tabs appeared on OpenAI’s X account, signaling the livestream reveal scheduled for 1PM ET / 10AM PT today.
• Reuters reported in July that OpenAI was preparing to launch an AI web browser with built-in AI agent capabilities.

Key features expected: The browser will likely center around OpenAI’s Operator AI agent and integrated ChatGPT functionality.

• Operator AI will be able to book restaurant reservations, automatically fill out forms, and complete other browser actions without manual input.
• Users will interact directly with ChatGPT through the browser interface instead of navigating to the ChatGPT website.
• The browser is expected to run on Chromium, the same engine powering Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

The competitive landscape: OpenAI’s entry escalates the AI browser wars already underway among tech giants.

• Google has integrated Gemini into Chrome, while Perplexity launched its Comet AI browser.
• The Browser Company was acquired by Atlassian for $610 million earlier this year, and Microsoft has been building AI-powered Copilot Mode into Edge.
• Microsoft, OpenAI’s strategic AI partner, has ruled out creating its own dedicated AI browser, choosing instead to evolve Edge into “a true agentic browser.”

What they’re saying: Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman explained his company’s different approach to AI browsing.

• “Microsoft’s path to an AI browser involves evolving its Edge browser to become a true agentic browser, instead of an overhauled AI web browser like The Browser Company has tried to do with Dia.”