KI browser: Atlas, Comet - the changing face of browsing?

What an AI browser is and how it differs from a classic browser

A AI-Browser is a web browser in which a powerful Language model and supplementary AI functions are not just add-on modules, but an integral part of the product logic. The browser becomes an active assistant: It analyzes content in the background, summarizes it, answers questions about the current tab history and can perform more complex tasks on command - such as research, comparisons or filling out forms. In AI-first browsers such as Comet from Perplexity or Atlas from OpenAI, this assistance is deeply embedded in the user interface and interaction logic.

Classic browsers such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge were designed as neutral runtime environments: Rendering engine, tab management, extensions - the intelligence was in the web application itself or in external services. AI functions are usually added here via extensions, sidebars or an „AI mode“. The browser remains predominantly infrastructure, while the AI reacts to individual actions.

The AI browser, on the other hand, creates a continuous dialog with the web: The assistant recognizes the context across multiple tabs, makes suggestions and takes over intermediate steps without users having to constantly switch tools. Technically, there is a closer coupling of the rendering engine, session context and LLM layer: the browser provides context (DOM extracts, metadata, shared session information), the model processes this and returns responses or actions.

Differences compact:

• Role of the browser: from neutral display to active assistant.

• Position of the AI: from an optional add-on to a core function.

• Contextual use: from tab-related individual actions to holistic sessions.

• User Experience: from click/form-based to dialog and task-oriented.

AI features vs. AI-first browser: two approaches

AI features in the classic browser

In classic browsers with AI extensions, the usual use remains. Search engines such as Google or Bing now integrate generated overviews (AI Overviews, copilot answers). Chrome is testing an AI mode that summarizes or reformulates texts and supports searches. The same applies to Edge, Brave and Opera.

Typical applications:

• Summarized answers directly in search results

• Structured comparisons (products, providers, options)

• Explanation, translation or rewording of text passages

The browser remains familiar, enhanced by AI layers that provide initial orientation.

AI-first browser: AI as a starting point

AI-first browsers such as Comet or Atlas rely on a dialog-oriented interface. Users often start with questions or research requests - similar to an LLM, but directly in the browser. The systems access the web, analyze multiple sources and link the generated answer to specific pages. Agent-based functions are also created, for example:

• Independent opening of relevant pages

• Pre-filling of forms

• Preparation of booking or registration steps

Classic URL input remains possible, but many workflows are shifting to the AI dialog.

Market overview: Comet, Atlas and other relevant AI browsers

The market for AI browsers is still manageable at the end of 2025, but is characterized by a few clearly recognizable products. The focus is on Comet from Perplexity and ChatGPT Atlas from OpenAI, which were developed as specialized AI browsers and focus on dialog-oriented use of the web. In addition, established browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera are expanding their interfaces to include AI functions and are approaching the topic more incrementally.

Comet from Perplexity

With Comet, Perplexity is developing a Chromium-based browser that is geared towards an integrated assistant from the outset. Comet is available for Windows, macOS and now also for Android.

The Comet Assistant guides users through the entire surfing process. It can respond to instructions:

• Summarize content across multiple tabs,
• Analyze and compare websites in the background,
• Structure research tasks (e.g. compare products or providers),
• assist with recurring tasks, such as filling out forms or shopping online.

Perplexity emphasizes that Comet is increasingly being given agentic functions - such as independent navigation across several pages - but that these steps remain linked to user input and explicit approvals. Comet thus primarily addresses users who are looking for a dialog-oriented introduction to the web and want to delegate more complex searches.

Atlas from OpenAI

ChatGPT Atlas is the browser from OpenAI and is currently available on macOS with Apple Silicon processors. OpenAI describes Atlas as a web browser in which ChatGPT is embedded directly into the interface as a core component.

The central feature is a sidebar that allows users to address ChatGPT contextually. Atlas can:

• summarize the content of the currently open page,
• Answer questions about what you have read,
• Include several visited pages in responses,
• take into account data from the session (e.g. history or tab context) if required, provided this is permitted in the settings.

In doing so, Atlas is primarily addressing the target group on the Mac who already use ChatGPT intensively and want to reduce the need to switch between the chat interface and the classic browser. In contrast to Comet, the focus is currently more on very close integration with ChatGPT as a service and less on broad platform availability.

Other relevant players

In addition to Comet and Atlas, there are a growing number of other solutions that can be roughly divided into two groups:

• AI-first/agent-based browsers: such as Sigma, Dia or Neon, which, like Comet, rely heavily on autonomous or semi-autonomous web actions and workflows.
• Classic browsers with an AI layer: these include Chrome with AI Mode (Gemini-supported responses and search modes), Microsoft Edge with Copilot, Brave with Leo and Opera with Aria. They remain classic browsers in terms of their basic logic, but extend them with some very comprehensive assistant functions.

Chrome in particular shows how far AI functions are now penetrating established browsers: Goolge's AI mode now allows complex queries, product-related comparisons and context-related recommendations directly within the search and can also prepare agent-based tasks such as bookings or form processes in the future.

Compact market overview

Technical functionality of AI browsers in practice

Combine AI browser:

• Browser engine (Chromium or similar)
• Context capture (tabs, DOM excerpts, metadata, selected content)
• LLM/agent logic that generates responses and executes actions

The browser extracts content, prepares it as context, the AI processes it and provides answers or actions (e.g. navigation, markers, prepared forms). In agent modes, steps are continued iteratively - always depending on user approvals.

Data protection plays a central role: modern AI browsers limit the scope of context, clearly indicate when data is transferred and offer granularly controllable settings for history, tabs and sensitive content.

Examples of use

Professional:

• multi-source research, summaries, argument extraction
• Support with technical tasks (APIs, error messages, code examples)
• Preparation of forms, booking steps or recurring workflows

Private:

• Travel planning, offer comparisons
• Learning support, explanations
• Support for administrative activities

These examples can be grouped into four categories:

• Develop topics
• Compare and decide
• Prepare output
• Accompany routine tasks

Risks, limits and current discourse

Despite the efficiency gains and new possibilities, AI browsers raise fundamental questions that are currently the subject of intense technical and economic debate. International analyses by BBC, Digiday and Press Gazette show: AI summaries, generative search and AI platforms are redirecting more and more search queries into zero-click experiences, while AI search engines and bots return over 90 percent less traffic to publishers on average than classic Google search results. AI browsers build on precisely these mechanisms - structurally exacerbating the same conflict between user convenience and refinancing content.

The publisher paradox and hallucinations

Generative search and AI browsers reduce traditional page views. Studies show that AI summaries sometimes return up to 80-90 % less traffic to publishers than conventional search results. This exacerbates the structural conflict between user convenience and the refinancing of digital content, which is why demands for remuneration models (licenses, industry standards) are increasing.

LLMs can misinterpret or invent content. Since answers appear within a professional-looking browser UI, they are often trusted more, which makes source criticism less important.

Safety and technical limits

Data protection and security are also becoming increasingly relevant. In order for AI browsers to act as assistants, they need to capture the content of open tabs, which potentially leads to the outflow of sensitive information to cloud models. In addition, new attack surfaces arise, for example through prompt injections or manipulated forms, and the risks and costs increase accordingly for companies with strict compliance requirements.

Finally, technical limitations remain. LLM-supported functions require considerable computing power and generate higher latencies compared to purely locally executed web applications. They are also more dependent on stable internet connections and continue to reach their limits with highly interactive or real-time-critical applications.

Classification and outlook on the changing role of the browser

The discourse shows: We are in a transitional phase. The browser is changing from a neutral user agent that displays websites to an intermediary that curates and processes the web for the user. However, this gain in convenience for the user must be weighed up against the risks to privacy and the long-term financial viability of web content. For companies, publishers and content strategies, the intelligent use of AI browsers will become a key issue in the coming years.

Frequently asked questions about AI browsers

Will AI browsers replace classic AI chats like ChatGPT in the second tab?

Partially: Many tasks (summarizing, comparing, initial research) move to the AI browser because it „reads“ the page context directly and does not have to be fed manually.

Are AI browsers suitable for sensitive company data?

Only very limited: Compliance and data protection teams currently classify AI-first browsers as a high risk and recommend testing in isolated, clearly limited environments at most.

Will traditional browsers be replaced by AI browsers in the foreseeable future?

Not for the foreseeable future. AI browsers and AI modes are currently a supplement: they primarily help with research, analysis and writing tasks, while established browsers continue to cover the majority of daily surfing. More realistically, traditional browsers will continue to integrate more AI functions instead of being completely replaced

How can you try out AI browsers safely?

Preferably on a separate profile/account, without logins to sensitive systems, with limited rights and a focus on non-critical use cases such as public research or learning content.