On Thursday, Microsoft rolled out an enhanced Copilot mode for its Edge browser, introducing voice-activated task automation and AI-generated browsing histories—a move that comes just two days after OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Atlas.
Building on the foundational Copilot mode launched in July—which introduced basic AI integrations like voice navigation and multi-tab reasoning—Microsoft is now pushing deeper into automated browsing, an area OpenAI also targets with Atlas.
Copilot Actions operates via natural language commands. Ask it to clear your cache or unsubscribe from a shopping newsletter, and it handles the steps for you. Microsoft notes that voice control for more complex tasks is “coming soon,” though the current version already manages simple actions like opening web pages.
Journeys tackles tab hoarding by automatically grouping related browsing sessions and suggesting next steps—eliminating the need to bookmark dozens of tabs for a project you might revisit later. Microsoft illustrates this with an example: researching a business idea today and returning months later to find all previously viewed articles, videos, and context ready and waiting.
Throughout its announcement, Microsoft emphasized privacy—likely acknowledging that granting AI access to one’s entire browsing history could raise concerns. All features are opt-in, with clear visual cues indicating when Copilot is active. The company stresses that user data remains protected under its privacy policy and that all AI functionalities can be disabled at any time.
The parallels with Atlas are unmistakable. Both browsers place their AI assistants front and center on the new tab page, promise task automation, and require broad permissions to function effectively. As TechCrunch observed, the two products appear “nearly identical,” differing mainly in color schemes and UI conventions.
Atlas sparked immediate security concerns upon launch. According to OpenAI’s own Chief Information Security Officer, prompt injection attacks remain an “unsolved problem,” with experts warning that malicious websites could manipulate the AI to steal data or even drain bank accounts. Microsoft has yet to clarify whether Edge faces similar vulnerabilities.
The browser landscape is rapidly getting crowded. Perplexity introduced its Comet browser in July, The Browser Company launched Dia, and Google is integrating AI into Chrome. All are betting on the same premise: that AI will fundamentally reshape how people use browsers—enough to challenge Chrome’s dominance.
Whether these AI-powered browsers will resonate beyond Silicon Valley remains an open question. Chrome boasts 3 billion users, while Edge has seen mixed results despite years of effort to gain traction. AI integration could be the game-changer—or it might just be another unwanted feature demanding more personal data than users are comfortable sharing.
Microsoft highlights that Edge now includes AI-driven malware blocking and round-the-clock password breach monitoring to bolster security. The updated Copilot mode is available now on Windows and macOS, with mobile support “coming soon.”
