AI browser war: Google integrates Gemini into Chrome

A new kind of browser war has begun. The question is where people will search for information in the future and how they will access it. Because it doesn't have to be traditional browsers anymore. AI chatbots themselves are preparing to take over this task. Google is responding to this by making the connection between chatbots and browsers even closer.

OpenAI and Perplexity, for example, are working on offering browsers themselves. They want searchers to not only find answers in their own chatbot, but also to remain in their own cosmos when they select a link to a website. Keeping users in their own ecosystem for as long as possible enables companies to earn as much as possible from these people.

Google is now doing the opposite and integrating its own chatbot deeply into its browser – free of charge and for all users, but initially only in the USA, according to the blog post. "We're taking the next step in making the web better and the browser smarter." This is not just another new function, but a "fundamental change in the nature of browsing." Of course, this should help people to become more productive. The wish of every busy worker bee in a meritocracy.

Chrome and Gemini recognise tabs, documents and more

The Gemini integration also means that Google wants to use even more context. This means, for example, that Gemini knows which tabs are open and can summarize their information. If you use Google Calendar and Docs, Gemini can also access them. This will soon also work on mobile devices.

In the agentic era, as Google calls it, Gemini for Chrome naturally also has agentic capabilities. This includes the AI agent being able to place an order in the supermarket, for example.

AI Mode also moves directly into the address bar. Google has been talking about the Omnibox for a long time, because the search function is already located directly in the address bar. AI Mode means that questions are answered with AI – including complex questions that can be followed up on. Web links are also displayed, but it is doubtful whether this is necessary when Gemini has already extracted all the information from the sources.

In Germany, an alliance has just been formed to denounce Google's actions and call on the EU Commission to investigate with regard to the Digital Services Act (DSA). They say Google's behaviour is anti-competitive. It is therefore not surprising that Google has not yet implemented the integration in the EU.

Google also talks about making browsing safer. Chrome recognises scams and other security risks. Thanks to AI, Chrome users on Android devices receive three million alerts a day about harmful websites.

(emw)