Chrome is undoubtedly one of Google‘s main products. The browser regularly receives changes and improvements. For some time now, the company has focused its efforts on developing AI features. So, it was striking that another company—Perplexity—jumped ahead by launching an AI-focused browser first. Now, Google is addressing that problem by integrating AI technology into its Chrome browser via the Gemini assistant.
Google’s latest Chrome browser update introduces new features designed to help users understand information and complete tasks more efficiently. It positions Chrome as a browser that goes beyond its traditional function of rendering web pages.
“Gemini in Chrome” browsing assistant
A central part of this change is “Gemini in Chrome.” Google is rolling out this AI assistant to Mac and Windows users in the U.S. first. This isn’t a standalone chatbot but an AI built directly into the browser to work across multiple tabs. It’s designed to understand the context of what you are doing. For example, it can answer questions about articles, summarize and compare information from different websites, or even help you consolidate travel plans from various booking sites into a single itinerary.
The assistant can also help you locate specific moments in a YouTube video you’re watching, taking you directly to the information you need. Looking for a website you visited last week? Soon, Gemini will be able to help you find it using a simple, natural language prompt. Think of commands like “What was that blog I read on back to school shopping?” and the like.
In the coming months, Gemini in Chrome will also integrate with other Google services. The list includes Docs, Calendar, and Maps, among others. For instance, a user can access information from these services without leaving their current page to, say, schedule a meeting or see location details.
Google is also developing “agent” capabilities for Gemini, which will allow it to perform multi-step tasks on your behalf, such as ordering groceries or booking a haircut, turning a series of actions into a three-click journey. This feature will be coming to Android and iOS users soon. The upgrade sees Chrome gain similar capabilities to Perplexity’s Comet AI browser.
Smarter search from the Omnibox
The browser’s address bar, known as the omnibox, is also getting an update. A new AI Mode will give users the option to ask complex, multi-part questions directly from the omnibox and receive an AI-generated response. You can then ask follow-up questions to dive deeper. This feature intends to provide a more powerful search experience without having to navigate to a new page.
The omnibox will also offer search suggestions that are contextually relevant to the webpage you are currently viewing. For example, if you are reading an article about a new car, the omnibox might suggest a question like, “What is the warranty policy?” AI Mode is rolling out in the U.S. later this month with English support. There are plans to expand to more countries and languages in the weeks ahead.
AI for online safety
Beyond productivity features, AI is also enhancing Chrome’s security. The browser is using Gemini Nano SLM to proactively block new types of scams, such as fake tech support warnings and deceptive giveaway pages. Chrome also detects potentially spammy notifications, giving you the option to unsubscribe. The company noted that this has already reduced unwanted notifications for Chrome on Android users by approximately 3 billion each day.
Furthermore, AI helps users fix security issues like compromised passwords. And a new feature will soon allow you to change a compromised password with a single click on supported sites. This new version of Chrome represents a significant step in how AI is being built into common browsing tools.