According to individuals familiar with the matter who spoke with Reuters, the browser is beyond  another interface for visiting websites. It’s designed to merge browsing and AI seamlessly, using a built-in conversational assistant similar to ChatGPT to eliminate the need for constant clicking and searching. 

This could drastically reduce the number of direct website visits, as users interact through dialogue instead of traditional browsing paths.

The browser, which is expected to be released within weeks, will be built on Chromium, the same open-source codebase that powers Google Chrome. This choice ensures compatibility with modern web standards but allows OpenAI to retain full control over how user data is handled and integrated with its AI products. 

One source explained that this decision was made deliberately: “They didn’t want to be a plug-in. They wanted full control — full access to user behaviour and data streams.”

If adopted widely, the impact could be enormous. ChatGPT already has over 500 million weekly active users. Should even a fraction of that audience migrate to OpenAI’s browser, Alphabet’s grip on web traffic, and its multibillion-dollar ad business, could begin to slip. 

Chrome currently commands over 67% of the global browser market, with more than 3 billion users worldwide. But its supremacy is built on data: Chrome collects detailed information on browsing behaviour, feeding Google’s ad-targeting engine which generates the bulk of its revenue.

By building its own web browser, OpenAI is stepping directly into that space, bypassing intermediaries and creating a direct pipeline from user activity to AI interaction.

The browser will reportedly include Operator, OpenAI’s advanced AI agent, which can handle complex, multi-step tasks like booking travel, completing web forms, and summarising content, all without the user ever leaving the interface.

This launch also points to a deeper strategic move; rather than simply offering a new tool, OpenAI appears intent on embedding itself into the daily digital routines of both individual users and businesses. “It’s about creating a new default,” one source said. “They want AI to be your entry point to the internet—not a destination you visit when you need help.”

This approach is in contrast to Google, whose Chrome browser has been under regulatory fire for its role in monopolising search and advertising markets. A U.S. judge ruled in 2023 that Google held an unlawful monopoly in online search, and the Department of Justice has demanded structural changes, including possibly breaking up its control over Chrome.

Interestingly, OpenAI had once considered acquiring Chrome if regulators forced a sale. An OpenAI executive disclosed during testimony in April that “if Chrome were to be spun off, we would absolutely be interested.” That possibility remains uncertain, as Google has vowed to appeal the ruling and denies any wrongdoing.

Other players are already exploring the same direction. Perplexity launched an AI-driven browser called Comet last week, which can autonomously complete tasks online.

Brave and The Browser Company have also introduced AI-enhanced browsers with features such as summarisation and integrated assistants. But OpenAI’s entry stands apart, thanks to its existing user base and brand equity.

With its own browser, OpenAI is likely to focus on a commercial model built around premium AI tools rather than ad-driven surveillance. This could appeal to users wary of how much personal data is harvested and monetised by tech giants.

One observer said, “They’re not just trying to replace Chrome—they’re trying to redefine what browsing even means.”

OpenAI has declined to comment officially on the browser project. Sources with knowledge of the matter have requested anonymity as they are not authorised to speak publicly.

However, it remains unavailable in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.

Operator, which was launched in the United States in January, is designed to handle tasks such as booking tickets, making restaurant reservations, filing expense reports, and shopping online. 

The feature is currently exclusive to users subscribed to the $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan and is accessible only through a dedicated webpage. OpenAI plans to integrate Operator into all ChatGPT clients in the future. 

The tool operates via a separate browser window, allowing users to monitor and take control of its actions as needed.

The AI-powered automation space is becoming more competitive, with major tech companies developing similar tools. Google has its own agent currently restricted to a waitlist, Anthropic provides access through an API, and Rabbit’s action model is limited to users of its dedicated device.

OpenAI has assured users that Operator will be made available in other regions where it is not yet accessible. “Still working on making Operator available in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein & Iceland—we’ll keep you updated!” OpenAI stated.

The tool aims to simplify tasks for users by automating processes such as booking travel, shopping online, and managing reservations, ultimately enhancing productivity and digital interaction.

Built with the newly developed Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model, which combine advanced reasoning with visual properties, Operator is able to interact with web pages like a human—clicking, typing, and navigating menus without requiring developer integrations. 

Initially, Operator is available to Pro users in the United States through a dedicated platform, operator.chatgpt.com, with plans for broader rollout across OpenAI’s other offerings, including ChatGPT and APIs.

Speaking during the launch, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described the initiative as a huge step for AI in 2025. “Operator will be in other countries soon,” Altman said, adding that expansion to Europe might take more time.

Users can oversee Operator as it performs tasks, ensuring that sensitive actions, such as entering payment details or managing emails, remain under human control. 

OpenAI has emphasised safety and privacy, integrating multiple safeguards. For instance, the tool asks for confirmation before finalising any action with consequences, ensuring user oversight throughout its operations.

According to OpenAI, Operator collaborates with major companies, including DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, and Priceline, to respect their terms of service and enhance real-world functionality. 

Daniel Danker, Chief Product Officer at Instacart, praised the innovation, stating, “OpenAI’s Operator is a technological breakthrough that makes processes like ordering groceries incredibly easy.”

Although Operator brings beautiful possibilities, it does have limitations. It struggles with complex interfaces, CAPTCHAs, and certain intricate tasks, often requiring user intervention. OpenAI has also imposed restrictions on banking transactions and sensitive actions to prioritise safety.

Despite its early-stage limitations, Operator points to OpenAI’s vision to enhance AI’s works in everyday life. As Jamil Niazi, director of Information Technology at the City of Stockton, noted, “As we learn more about Operator during its research preview, we’ll be better equipped to identify ways that AI can make civic engagement even easier for our residents.”

OpenAI has increased its exertions to integrate automation into its services, ensuring AI doesn’t just assist users but actively handles tasks on their behalf.