OpenAI Set to Launch AI-Powered Web Browser to Rival Google Chrome

Last Updated Jul - 10 - 2025, 05:57 PM | Source : Fela News

OpenAI is preparing to release an AI-driven web browser built on Chromium, aiming to challenge Google Chrome’s dominance and reshape internet browsing by integr

OpenAI is reportedly on the verge of launching its own AI-powered web browser, which could pose a major challenge to Google Chrome’s dominance, according to three sources familiar with the development. The browser, expected to debut in the coming weeks, is designed to reshape the way people browse the internet using artificial intelligence and could give OpenAI more direct access to valuable user data—an area that has long been central to Google’s business model.

If adopted by ChatGPT’s 500 million weekly users, the browser could threaten one of Google’s most lucrative assets. Chrome plays a crucial role in Alphabet’s advertising ecosystem, helping to funnel traffic to Google Search and gather data that fuels targeted ads—key to nearly 75% of the company’s revenue.

Two of the sources said that OpenAI's browser will feature a native ChatGPT-like interface, reducing the need for users to click through to websites and instead keeping many interactions within the browser itself.

The new browser is part of OpenAI’s broader push to embed its technology more deeply into everyday consumer and professional tasks, one source noted. OpenAI declined to comment on the matter, and the sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, has been aggressively expanding since the breakout success of ChatGPT in late 2022. Faced with rising competition from Google and AI startups like Anthropic, the company has been searching for new growth avenues. In May, OpenAI made headlines by acquiring the AI hardware startup io for $6.5 billion, founded by Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive.

A browser would allow OpenAI to seamlessly integrate AI agents like Operator into web navigation, enabling the browser to complete tasks such as booking appointments or filling out online forms on behalf of the user.

Access to user web activity would also provide an ideal environment for AI agents to function more independently. However, OpenAI faces stiff competition: Google Chrome dominates the browser market with over 3 billion users and more than 66% market share, according to StatCounter. Apple’s Safari comes in a distant second with just 16%. Meanwhile, OpenAI says it has 3 million paying business subscribers to ChatGPT.

Other companies are also entering the space. AI startup Perplexity launched its browser, Comet, on Wednesday, which can carry out tasks on users’ behalf. Startups like Brave and The Browser Company have also introduced AI-driven browsers capable of summarizing and interacting with the web.

OpenAI’s upcoming browser will reportedly be built on Chromium, the open-source foundation behind Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. The company has also brought on board two former senior Google executives who were part of Chrome’s original development team.

Previously, OpenAI had explored the possibility of building a browser or even acquiring Chrome if antitrust action forced Google to divest it. In a recent antitrust case, a U.S. judge ruled that Google held an illegal monopoly in online search, prompting the Department of Justice to call for divestiture of Chrome—though Google has said it will appeal the ruling and has not made Chrome available for sale.

One source explained that OpenAI chose to build its own browser rather than create a plug-in for an existing one to gain more control over the data it can collect directly from users.