OpenAI Closes Atlas, AI Browser Feature Moved to ChatGPT and Chrome

JAKARTA - OpenAI is shutting down Atlas, an artificial intelligence (AI) based browser launched in October with ChatGPT as the core of the service. However, this move does not mean that OpenAI is backing down from its ambition to make AI help users explore the internet.

TechCrunch, quoted Friday, July 10, reported that OpenAI actually moved some of the agent-based browsing features that were previously tested in Atlas to the ChatGPT desktop application and the Google Chrome extension.

Agent-based features mean that AI systems can help carry out certain tasks at the user's command, not just answering questions. In the context of a browser, AI can read web pages, summarize the content, and help start longer work.

The closure of Atlas comes months after OpenAI app CEO Fidji Simo asked the team to reduce "side quests" or side projects. The directive is said to have led to the closure of Sora, OpenAI's AI-based video creation tool.

The competition for AI browsers is indeed crowded. In the past year, a number of technology companies have tried to disrupt Chrome's position as the main gateway for people to access the internet.

Perplexity launched Comet. The Browser Company released Dia. Google and Microsoft also updated Chrome and Edge with new AI-based features.

TechCrunch said that after months of experimentation, OpenAI seems to see the browser as a feature, not an end goal. Because of this, the browser-like agent capability of Atlas is brought to a place where users are already used to working.

One of them is Chrome. OpenAI launched the ChatGPT extension on Google's browser. The extension can read the context of the page that the user is opening.

Through the extension, users can ask about the contents of a web page, request a summary, or start a longer task directly from the browser.

This feature will face off directly with Google's Gemini Side Panel. Google's service can also help users read, summarize, and process information from web pages.

OpenAI is also strengthening the ChatGPT desktop application with a more complete browser. Users can browse the site, log in to their accounts, download files, and interact with web pages without leaving ChatGPT.

In addition, OpenAI is preparing a cloud browser that runs remotely on company servers. This browser is where AI agents complete tasks on behalf of users.

That way, the Atlas feature remains alive, but is in Chrome, the ChatGPT desktop app, and the AI agent that works behind the scenes.