OpenAI could soon challenge Google’s browser dominance with a Chrome competitor
OpenAI's rumored AI browser could shake up the web, challenging Google with a ChatGPT-like interface and a new frontier in the ongoing tech rivalry.
OpenAI may have an AI-powered web browser in the works that could be available in a matter of weeks, according to a report from Reuters.
The parent company of ChatGPT has been in fierce competition with Google. Sources told the publication that the brand is looking to release its own web browser to get a greater edge in Google’s market, which is users' data. The data from Chrome powers Google's ad business, providing it with the details from over 3 billion users globally, BGR noted.
While not much is known about the browser currently, it is said to have a chatbot interface similar to ChatGPT, instead of a list of links interface like a standard browser. The browser is also reportedly based on Chromium code, much like other notable browsers, including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.
Sources also indicate that the browser would allow OpenAI to have a proprietary home base to host its latest features, such as its Operator agent. This would allow the function to execute tasks independently of a user after being given a query.
With the browser being a standalone app, reports indicate that it has the potential to quickly become one of the most-used web browsers on the planet if users switch from ChatGPT, as the chatbot currently hosts 400 million monthly active users and 500 million weekly active users. Google notably announced at its I/O conference that the Gemini app also had 400 million monthly active users.
The companies have been playing ping-pong for some time, quickly developing services that mirror the other. When ChatGPT debuted to the market, Google got to work, introducing its own AI product Bard, which then became Gemini. OpenAI followed suit by adding Search features to ChatGPT. Google then inundated AI features into its Google Search engine and introduced an AI Mode that takes on agentic, deep search tasks. Now, OpenAI is ready to introduce its AI browser.
This isn’t the first time news of OpenAI developing a browser has surfaced. In November 2024, The Information reported that OpenAI had “recently considered” developing a proprietary web browser but was “not remotely close” to moving forward with such a project. The report came alongside ongoing news that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was pushing Google to sell the Chrome browser sector of its company.
The DOJ wanted to have Google banned from the browser market for five years, which could give other brands time to build market share in the industry. This is something that brands have already taken advantage of. ChatGPT head of product Nick Turley told the U.S. government in January that OpenAI would be interested in putting in an offer to purchase Chrome if Google has to sell its assets. He added that OpenAI would be able to inundate Chrome with ChatGPT features at its own discretion.
Notably, news of OpenAI’s browser quickly followed news that the AI engine Perplexity has released a browser, called Comet, which will be available as part of its $200 per month Perplexity Max subscription tier. Reports note that Perplexity is rivaling Google with its new browser, but it is also in competition with OpenAI and ChatGPT.