Just days ago, OpenAI released its new Atlas tool. This is the company’s first take on an AI browser, blending ChatGPT with an experience similar to Chrome. And, before the dust can settle, the competition is already following quickly behind.
Roughly two days later and Microsoft has announced a major update to its Copilot model, implementing AI in a way that is very similar to what you see from ChatGPT Atlas, or its other big competitor, Perplexity Comet.
This isn’t an entirely new tool, but simply a major update to the experience that Copilot offers. Microsoft explains that it includes 12 new features that focus on “making Copilot more personal, more useful and more connected to the people and world around you”.
Other new features include major improvements to Copilot's memory and personalization, and the ability to connect your content and use AI with it, including OneDrive, Outlook, Gmail, and Google Drive.
Copilot also introduced a health function, addressing users’ common health-related questions, using sources like Harvard Health to empower the answers. Copilot states that the goal is to help you take control of your health with high-quality information while doing it quickly.
A similar tool that is also part of the package is ‘Learn Live’. This is a voice-enabled tutor that guides you through concepts instead of just giving answers.
There are lots of other smaller updates as part of this, mostly centered around making the tool more accessible and available in more places. You can read all about the Copilot update on Microsoft’s blog.
Why are AI browsers the next big thing?
AI browsers seem to be very trendy right now. Perplexity and ChatGPT are doing it, Opera has released one, and many of the biggest names in search (such as Copilot) are finding ways to make their browser as packed with AI as possible.
After a period of time where every major company was trying to make chatbots and AI models, this seems like the obvious advancement. A browser, for companies like Perplexity and ChatGPT, would give them a much wider audience, far more data on user preferences, and a whole new market of partnerships.
For the Copilots and Operas of the world, it is an opportunity for them to even the playing field in AI. They already operate their own browsers, giving them an advantage over both ChatGPT and Perplexity, which have to piggyback on Chrome.
In other words, expect to hear the words ‘AI browsing’ a lot for the next couple of years as every tech company under the sun fights to be the next Google.
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