Google has begun reshaping[1] its Chrome browser with a wave of artificial intelligence updates[2]. The company says this is the biggest redesign since the browser first launched in 2008, and the changes will affect how people search, browse, and manage everyday online tasks.
AI Mode Arrives in the Address Bar
One of the most noticeable updates is AI Mode, a new option built directly into Chrome’s address bar. People can now type longer questions instead of short search terms and get responses without leaving the page. The feature also works with the content of the page itself. For example, if someone is reading a product description, Chrome can suggest questions about it and generate an AI-based summary on the spot. This is already rolling out in English in the United States, with other languages and regions expected soon.
Gemini Assistant Built Into the Browser
Google is also putting its Gemini assistant straight into Chrome. Previously limited to subscribers, the feature is now free for everyone. Gemini can read and understand what’s on a page, compare information across several tabs, and even recall sites that were visited earlier in the week. Instead of searching through history, a person could ask Gemini to bring back the blog they had been reading or the shopping page they had checked before.
Gemini is also being connected with Google’s other services, including YouTube, Maps, and Calendar. A user could ask it to find a location, jump to a point in a video, or add an event to their calendar without opening a new tab. The rollout starts with Mac and Windows in the United States, with Android and iOS support on the way.
Work on AI Agents
Google is preparing to launch a more advanced browsing assistant later this year. The feature, sometimes referred to as an AI agent, is being designed to carry out multi-step tasks such as booking appointments, filling online carts, or writing messages. It can keep working while the user continues browsing, but it will stop before taking irreversible actions, like sending an email or checking out on a shopping site, until confirmation is given.
The company had previously tested an early version under the name Project Mariner. It is aiming for a more reliable tool than similar systems offered by rivals, which have had issues with accuracy and stability.
Smarter Use of Tabs
Gemini has also been trained to work across several tabs at once. This can be useful when someone is planning a trip or comparing multiple products. The assistant can gather information from different pages and present it in a single summary, reducing the need to move back and forth.
Security and Safety Updates
Beyond search and productivity, Chrome is getting security improvements powered by AI. Gemini Nano, a lighter version of the assistant, is being used in Safe Browsing to detect scams such as fake support alerts, virus warnings, or fraudulent giveaways.
Notifications and site permissions are also being handled more intelligently. Chrome now reduces spammy alerts on Android, cutting billions of unnecessary pop-ups each day. It also takes into account site quality and user preferences before presenting permission requests for access to the camera, microphone, or location.
Password Support
Password management is another area being strengthened. Chrome already alerts people if their saved credentials have been compromised. Soon, it will allow users to change their passwords on supported sites, including services like Spotify and Duolingo, with a single click.
Chrome’s Role
Chrome is used by about 70 percent of people worldwide who browse the web, making it one of Google’s most important products. The browser has long supported the company’s search business, both by sending traffic to Google Search and by providing valuable usage data. By embedding AI throughout Chrome, Google is positioning the browser as a key entry point into its wider AI ecosystem.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next:
• Global AI Superpowers 2025: Nations Compete for Compute and Influence[3]
• Study Reveals AI Assistants Link to Broken Pages More Often Than Google[4]
References
- ^ reshaping (blog.google)
- ^ artificial intelligence updates (blog.google)
- ^ Global AI Superpowers 2025: Nations Compete for Compute and Influence (www.digitalinformationworld.com)
- ^ Study Reveals AI Assistants Link to Broken Pages More Often Than Google (www.digitalinformationworld.com)