OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas which is its new web browser built entirely around its chatbot technology. The browser is available on macOS for Free, Plus, Pro and Go users, with versions for Windows, iOS and Android coming soon. Business users can access it in beta and it can also be enabled for Enterprise and education accounts.
Atlas brings ChatGPT directly into the browsing experience rather than keeping it on a separate tab. Users can open a sidebar to summarise information, compare products, or analyse data from any website. The browser was designed to be both a workspace and an assistant, handling tasks as users browse.
A college student and early tester, Yogya Kalra, said that using Atlas helped improve study sessions. Kalra explained that ChatGPT now understands slides instantly, saving time previously spent taking screenshots and switching between windows. This shows how the browser works in context, helping users without requiring them to copy, paste, or leave the page.
How Does It Change Browsing?
Atlas acts as an “AI companion” that follows users across the internet. The system understands what a person is doing and can perform tasks like research, shopping or scheduling directly in the browser. When users open a new tab, they can either type a web address or ask ChatGPT questions. The search results come up in one place, and can be filtered into links, images, videos, or news articles.
Atlas can also make suggestions based on previous activity. So, it might do something like recall a user’s earlier searches for travel ideas and bring up related information or tasks. These memories are optional. OpenAI said users can view, archive or delete them at any time in settings. The company added that browsing history deletions also remove related ChatGPT memories.
Privacy control is a big thing for the browser. Atlas allows users to turn off ChatGPT’s visibility on any site using a toggle in the address bar. When this setting is off, ChatGPT cannot view or learn from the page. Incognito mode is also available, meaning browsing, chats and account activity are not saved.
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What Can The AI Do For Users?
One of the most interesting features here is the agent mode. This lets ChatGPT take direct action inside the browser. For example, it can plan a dinner party, find grocery stores, add items to an online cart and finally, complete a purchase all under user supervision. It can also perform research or compile documents for work teams.
Agent mode is in preview for Plus, Pro, and Business accounts. OpenAI said it has built in safety nets and precautions. The AI cannot do things like run code, download files or install extensions. It also pauses when working on sensitive sites like banks, so that the user sees what it is doing. Users can choose to use agent mode while logged out to further limit its access to personal data.
The company has tested the system through thousands of hours of red-teaming to identify weaknesses. OpenAI said it focused on defending against hidden instructions that could cause the AI to perform unintended actions. It added that while no system is perfect, it will keep updating its defences as new risks appear.
How Is Privacy Handled?
Atlas gives users full control over what ChatGPT remembers and how it interacts with sites. Browser memories are stored privately in the user’s account, and users can turn them off entirely. The system does not use browsing content to train models unless users opt in through settings. Even then, websites that block GPTBot will not be used for training.
Parental controls are built in. Parents who have already set restrictions on ChatGPT will find those settings automatically applied in Atlas. New controls allow them to turn off browser memories or disable agent mode.
OpenAI imagines Atlas as one of the tools that makes web browsing more interactive. It plans to keep updating the browser with multi-profile support and by constantly improving developer tools.
Website owners will also be able to make their pages work more smoothly with the ChatGPT agent by adding ARIA tags. OpenAI said new updates will arrive frequently, as it works to refine how people interact with the web through ChatGPT.
