OpenAI’s recent launch of an AI-powered web browser, ChatGPT Atlas, has sparked conversations about the future of internet browsing and whether it’s finally time to move away from familiar browsers like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. On the latest episode of the *Equity* podcast, TechCrunch’s editors Max Zeff, Sean O’Kane, and Anthony Ha weighed in on this question, sharing their experiences with new AI browsers and reflecting on how the broader browser landscape is evolving.
**A New Challenger in the Browser Wars**
ChatGPT Atlas enters a digital landscape long dominated by a handful of entrenched players. Safari, Chrome, and Firefox have each carved out significant user bases, and history is littered with failed attempts by other companies to break into this market. One of the main reasons for these failures, as Sean O’Kane pointed out, is the challenge of monetizing a browser itself. Many have tried, some even charging up front, but ultimately, they struggled to compete against the established giants. However, OpenAI’s situation is unique. Backed by increasingly massive funding rounds, OpenAI isn’t under immediate pressure to turn Atlas into a direct money-maker. This financial freedom allows the company to experiment and refine its browser without the short-term demands that have sunk past competitors.
**The Promise—and Reality—of AI Browsing**
Max Zeff, who has experimented with ChatGPT Atlas and similar AI-driven browsers like Comet, offered a grounded perspective. While the idea of an “agentic web”—where AI agents handle tasks for users—sounds transformative, the present-day reality is far less revolutionary. According to Max, the efficiency gains are minimal at best. Most tasks performed by the AI, such as fetching a recipe and adding ingredients to an online shopping cart, don’t reflect how most people actually use the web. In practice, watching an AI agent slowly click through websites can feel more tedious than empowering.
Moreover, Max questioned the true value proposition for everyday users. Tech companies often tout scenarios where AI agents automate complex workflows, but the average person may not find these features compelling or necessary. The gap between what is technologically possible and what actually improves the user experience remains significant.
**Security and User Experience Concerns**
Another factor holding back widespread adoption of AI browsers is security. Allowing an AI agent to navigate websites and input data on a user’s behalf raises potential risks, from data privacy to vulnerability to cyberattacks. As Max and the team discussed, these risks are not yet fully understood or addressed, adding another layer of hesitation for users considering a switch from their trusted browsers.
**The Changing Nature of the Web**
Anthony Ha raised a broader question: if AI-driven browsers become mainstream, what does that mean for the web as we know it? Traditionally, users have had direct access to webpages, but AI interfaces and chatbots could begin mediating more of our interactions. This shift might reduce the importance of individual websites, as AI agents summarize or extract