OpenAI is rolling out a series of updates to its newly launched AI-powered Chromium-based browser, ChatGPT Atlas, with a focus on enhancing usability and introducing new capabilities. One of the upcoming features is User Profiles, which will allow individuals to personalize their browsing experience. Additional planned enhancements include tab groups and an optional ad blocker, offering users greater control over content organization and online interactions. These improvements are part of the company’s “post-launch fixes” and are expected to roll out over the coming weeks—though OpenAI notes that some changes may take longer to implement.
Further refinements include an overflow bookmarks menu and a dedicated keyboard shortcuts reference, both designed to streamline navigation and boost overall browser efficiency. These updates align with the broader strategy led by CEO Sam Altman to make Atlas more intuitive, faster, and tailored to individual preferences—while also strengthening its AI-driven functionality. Adam Fry, OpenAI’s head of Atlas, shared details about these enhancements in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Beyond organizational tools, the AI pioneer is also refining Atlas’s core AI capabilities. The Agent feature—currently limited to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers—will soon deliver faster response times, more reliable pause/resume functionality, and smoother integration with services like Google Drive and cloud-based Excel. The Ask ChatGPT sidebar is also being upgraded to let users interact with the AI without leaving their current webpage and to switch more easily between projects or AI models. Fry hinted that future iterations could enable users to copy and paste text directly from the sidebar and automatically restore pinned tabs after a browser restart.
The company is also tackling compatibility issues, including unspecified fixes for the password manager 1Password. Fry indicated that additional improvements are in development but remain undisclosed due to ongoing collaborations with partners. The overarching goal is to create a seamless experience where AI actively assists users in managing tasks, browsing the web, and retrieving relevant information quickly.
These updates come just two days after Atlas’s launch, which was met with multiple reports of technical issues—including login errors and device compatibility problems—that could hinder user experience. Usability remains another challenge: while Atlas offers voice commands and task automation, some users struggle to leverage these tools effectively, particularly for complex workflows. Moreover, the browser’s heavy reliance on AI-generated content occasionally results in inaccuracies or missing details. Security is also a growing concern, as researchers have identified vulnerabilities such as prompt injection attacks—where malicious code on a webpage could manipulate the browser’s AI into performing unintended actions, potentially exposing sensitive user data.
