Google is taking a significant step toward reshaping how people interact with the internet.
The company has started rolling out a major update that embeds Gemini, its flagship AI system, directly into Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Chromebook Plus devices in the U.S. Powered by the newly introduced Gemini 3 model, the update transforms Chrome from a traditional web browser into something closer to an autonomous digital assistant — one that can analyze pages, move across sites, and complete tasks with limited user input.
The move signals Google’s broader ambition to build what it increasingly calls an “agentic web”, where AI systems don’t just surface information but actively perform work on behalf of users.
We’re introducing major updates to Gemini in @GoogleChrome for MacOS, Windows and Chromebook Plus. Built on Gemini 3, our most intelligent model, these powerful new AI features can help you multitask more easily and get the most out of the web 🧵 pic.twitter.com/OxwTdrUrDy
— Google (@Google) January 28, 2026
From browsing to delegation
At the core of the update is a new feature called Auto Browse, which allows Chrome to automate multi-step actions across the web. Instead of manually searching, comparing, and filling out forms, users can ask Chrome to handle tasks such as comparing flight options, summarizing product reviews, or preparing shopping carts.
The system navigates websites, interprets page content, and completes steps much like a human would — though Google says final actions like purchases or submissions still require explicit approval.
This represents a clear shift from earlier browser automation tools, which relied on scripts or extensions and often broke when websites changed layouts. Auto Browse is designed to adapt dynamically, using Gemini’s reasoning capabilities to understand what a page is asking for rather than following rigid instructions.
Google says this approach reduces friction for everyday online tasks that have traditionally required dozens of clicks and tab switches.
A persistent AI presence inside Chrome
Alongside Auto Browse, Chrome now includes a persistent Gemini side panel that remains visible while users browse. The panel can summarize long articles, scan reviews across multiple tabs, draft emails, or answer questions based on the content currently open in the browser.
Unlike previous AI integrations that required opening a separate tool or webpage, Gemini is now embedded directly into the browsing experience. Users can interact with it without leaving the page they’re on, turning Chrome into a real-time research and productivity assistant.
Josh Woodward, a Chrome developer at Google, said he regularly uses the panel to analyze long documents and extract key information while working, describing it as a meaningful improvement for multitasking-heavy workflows.
Image editing and creation inside the browser
The update also introduces Nano Banana, Google’s AI-powered image generation and editing tool, directly into Chrome. Users can modify existing images or create new visuals using text prompts without switching to external apps or services.
While Google positions the feature as a creative aid, it also has practical implications for marketing, presentations, and online publishing — areas where quick visual edits are often needed mid-workflow.
By placing image generation inside the browser, Google is further blurring the line between browsing and content creation.
Tighter integration with Google’s ecosystem
Gemini’s role in Chrome extends beyond the browser itself. The AI can now pull contextual information from connected Google services such as Gmail and Calendar, allowing it to personalize responses and suggestions.
For example, Chrome can summarize travel plans found in emails, suggest relevant searches based on upcoming calendar events, or help draft messages using existing context. Google says this deeper integration is optional and governed by user permissions, but it underscores the company’s strategy of tying AI more closely to everyday digital life.
Security, control, and cautious automation
Giving a browser the ability to act on a user’s behalf raises obvious concerns around safety and misuse. Google says it has built multiple safeguards into Auto Browse, including limits on autonomous actions and mandatory user confirmation for sensitive steps like payments or submissions.
The company is also introducing an open commerce protocol designed to ensure that AI-driven shopping interactions follow standardized and secure rules, reducing the risk of fraud or manipulation.
Still, industry analysts note that as AI agents gain more autonomy, browsers may become a new battleground for security, trust, and user control — especially as malicious actors look for ways to exploit automated systems.
A signal of what’s coming next
While the current rollout is limited to U.S. users and select devices, the update offers a clear preview of where web browsing is headed.
Instead of acting as a passive gateway to websites, Chrome is evolving into an intelligent intermediary — one that understands intent, coordinates actions, and reduces manual effort. This places Google in direct competition with emerging AI-first browsers and assistants that aim to replace traditional navigation altogether.
For users, the change could fundamentally alter how time is spent online. Tasks that once required careful comparison and repeated searches may soon be delegated to AI systems that operate quietly in the background.
Whether that future feels empowering or unsettling may depend on how much control users retain. But one thing is clear: with Gemini now embedded at the core of Chrome, the browser is no longer just a window to the web — it’s becoming an active participant in it.