OpenAI is on the verge of entering the competitive web browser market with the upcoming release of its own AI-enhanced browser, a move that could significantly challenge Google Chrome’s dominance, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The new browser is expected to debut within the next few weeks and will leverage OpenAI’s advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to reshape how users interact with the internet. The browser will integrate deeply with OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, aiming to shift more online activity from traditional website navigation into conversational AI interfaces.

A Strategic Play for User Data

According to three insiders, OpenAI’s new browser will not only offer a novel browsing experience but will also provide the company direct access to valuable user data—an area that has long underpinned Google’s multibillion-dollar advertising empire. Chrome, which powers over two-thirds of the global browser market, plays a pivotal role in gathering user insights that fuel targeted ads for Google, which in turn generates about 75% of Alphabet’s total revenue.

OpenAI’s move to control its own browser platform—rather than simply operate within existing ones—represents a major strategic shift. The AI firm reportedly aims to embed its AI assistant tools directly into the browsing experience, allowing users to automate tasks like booking appointments, navigating forms, and summarizing content, all within a unified AI-native interface.

From Chatbot Pioneer to Browser Challenger

Since launching ChatGPT in late 2022, OpenAI has become a household name in the AI space. Now, with over 500 million weekly active ChatGPT users and 3 million paying business subscribers, the company appears poised to expand its influence across digital life—including hardware, following its $6.5 billion acquisition of AI device startup io, founded by Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive.

The browser project further deepens OpenAI’s ambitions to create an integrated AI ecosystem. The upcoming browser is reportedly built on Chromium, Google’s open-source browser framework, which also powers Microsoft Edge and Opera. This foundation enables compatibility with most web standards while giving OpenAI room to tailor the browser’s features and privacy controls.

High Stakes and Fierce Competition

Despite OpenAI’s growing clout, challenging Chrome won’t be easy. Google’s browser currently serves over 3 billion users globally, dwarfing competitors like Apple’s Safari and Microsoft’s Edge. However, Chrome’s grip on the browser market is also under increasing scrutiny. A U.S. judge recently ruled that Alphabet holds an illegal monopoly in online search—prompting calls from the Department of Justice for a forced sale of parts of the business, including Chrome.

In fact, an OpenAI executive testified earlier this year that the company might consider acquiring Chrome if regulators broke it off from Google—a hypothetical scenario that underscores how critical browser control has become in the AI race.

AI Browsers on the Rise

OpenAI’s anticipated release follows a broader trend of AI-powered browsers hitting the market. Startups like Perplexity and The Browser Company, as well as privacy-focused Brave, have introduced browsers that combine traditional navigation with AI features like summarization, voice interaction, and task automation.

OpenAI’s browser will face off in this evolving landscape, but with the backing of its ChatGPT ecosystem, it may bring unique capabilities to the table—particularly in how AI agents carry out multi-step tasks on users’ behalf.

Shifting the Balance of Power?

OpenAI’s browser launch could significantly disrupt how users access and engage with online information, shifting the balance of power away from traditional search engines and ad-driven models. With growing public interest in personalized, AI-first web experiences, OpenAI is positioning itself to be more than a chatbot company—it’s building a comprehensive digital platform to rival Silicon Valley’s biggest players.

Whether it can loosen Google Chrome’s hold on the market remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the next phase of the browser wars will be shaped by artificial intelligence.