OpenAI shuts down browser whose most-crucial 'Google detail' it didn’t tell users

OpenAI is shutting down Atlas, the AI-powered web browser it launched less than a year ago, and is moving many of its features into ChatGPT instead. The decision comes months after the company introduced Atlas as "a new web browser built with ChatGPT at its core." At launch, however, OpenAI did not prominently tell users that Atlas was built on Chromium, the open-source browser engine developed by Google that also powers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and several other browsers. The information was available on an OpenAI support page but was not highlighted during the product announcement.Instead of continuing Atlas as a standalone browser, OpenAI is bringing its AI-powered browsing features to the ChatGPT desktop app and a new Google Chrome extension.AI browser features move to ChatGPT and ChromeAccording to the company, the ChatGPT Chrome extension will let users ask questions about web pages, summarize content and start longer tasks without leaving their browser.OpenAI is also upgrading the ChatGPT desktop app with a built-in browser that can browse websites, log into accounts, download files and interact with web pages. A cloud-based browser running on OpenAI's servers will allow AI agents to complete tasks on a user's behalf.The move follows reports that OpenAI CEO of Applications Fidji Simo asked teams to reduce work on "side quests," with the company also shutting down its AI video-generation tool Sora.Atlas was built on Google's Chromium engineWhen Atlas launched, OpenAI described it as a new AI-first browser designed to rethink how people browse the internet. But as stated above, the company did not clearly mention during its livestream launch that the browser was built on Chromium.That information appeared later on an OpenAI support page, which states: "Atlas is OpenAI's Mac browser built on Chromium."The browser offered AI-powered features such as integrated ChatGPT tools, context-aware menus, browser memory and an Agent Mode for completing tasks. Atlas joined a growing list of AI browsers, including Perplexity's Comet and AI-powered versions of Google Chrome, many of which are also based on the Chromium platform. OpenAI has now decided to shift those AI capabilities into ChatGPT instead of continuing Atlas as a separate browser.Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.