Google has announced its most comprehensive AI update to date for its web browser, Google Chrome. The innovations, which will be available in the coming weeks, promise to transform the browser from a passive display of information into an intelligent assistant that interacts with the user. With the deep integration of the Gemini AI model, browsing between tabs and information-seeking habits will be fundamentally transformed.
Smart Assistant in Google Chrome: The Gemini Button and Multi-Tab Management
At the heart of the update is the new “Gemini button,” which will be added to desktop Chrome. This button will allow users to instantly get summaries of web pages they visit, ask content-related questions, and access the information they’re looking for without switching pages. The AI won’t be limited to a single tab; it will be able to access and integrate information from all open tabs and other Google services, such as YouTube, Calendar, and Maps. For example, it can combine flight ticket, hotel reservation, and event information from different tabs into a single itinerary, or allow you to find a specific moment in a YouTube video with just a command.
Google is also reshaping the classic search experience with artificial intelligence. With “AI Mode,” which will be integrated into Chrome’s address bar, users will now be able to conduct conversational searches directly powered by AI. The “Ask about this page” feature will answer questions about the visited site in the sidebar. On the security front, the Gemini Nano model will proactively protect users against threats such as fake virus alerts and fraudulent sweepstakes sites. One of the most notable security innovations will be Chrome’s password manager’s ability to automatically change risky passwords with a single click.
The company’s next major goal is agent-based scanning, scheduled for testing towards the end of the year. This feature will allow users to delegate repetitive, multi-step tasks, such as scheduling appointments or placing grocery orders, to AI. However, the slow, costly, and error-prone nature of such autonomous systems raises questions about how Google will overcome the performance issues faced by its competitors. All of these features will be rolled out gradually, starting with users in the US and expanding globally within a few months. The rollout is expected to be complete.