**Should I Let AI Take Control of My Browser? Google’s Auto Browse is Here and I’m Skeptical**
I just got my hands on Google’s new AI-powered feature, Auto Browse, which is rolling out to Chrome for a select few users in the US. As a Google AI Professional or AI Extreme subscriber, I’m one of the lucky ones to get an early look. And let me tell you, I’m intrigued… but also a bit concerned.
So, what’s the big deal about Auto Browse? Essentially, it’s all about using a generative AI model (aka Gemini 3) to simplify internet searching and automate tasks for you. Sounds nice, right? But as I dig deeper, I’m starting to question whether it’s a blessing or a curse.
I had the chance to chat with Charmaine D’Silva, director of product management for Chrome, and got a demo of the features. The bot can do some really useful things, like helping me reorder a jacket I bought last year and finding a discount coupon code. But it’s also a bit unsettling to see the bot take over my Chrome tab, clicking buttons and making decisions without me having any say in it.
The disclaimer does say that I’m responsible for the bot’s actions, but, come on, that’s a bit of a cop-out, right? What if the bot does something I didn’t intend? And don’t even get me started on the potential security implications – AI-powered tools like Auto Browse might be vulnerable to instant injection attacks, which could trick the bot into doing something I didn’t intend.
As I’m about to give Auto Browse a test run, I’m still not sure if it’s the game-changer Google claims it is. Google has a history of pushing out new features gradually, so I’m eager to see how it develops in the future.
So, what about you? Are you ready to let a bot take over your browser?
