ChatGPT Atlas wipes $100 billion off Google’s value; here’s what’s inside AI browser that talks back

Alphabet Inc. lost about $100 billion in market value on Tuesday after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered web browser that could pose a new threat to Google’s dominance in online search and web browsing.

The stock of Google’s parent company fell over 2.5% after the announcement, sliding from $252.68 to $246.15 within 15 minutes of trading, its lowest point of the day.

The decline erased roughly $100 billion in market capitalisation, according to market data.

However, the shares recovered to $251.34 at the close.

What is ChatGPT Atlas?

OpenAI described Atlas as a browser “built with ChatGPT at its core,” designed to act as a personal assistant that can understand webpages, remember user context, and perform tasks such as research, booking appointments, or summarising online content.

“With Atlas, ChatGPT can come with you anywhere across the web—helping you in the window right where you are, understanding what you’re trying to do, and completing tasks for you, all without copying and pasting or leaving the page,” OpenAI said in a blog post.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called it a “rare, once-a-decade opportunity to rethink what a browser can be about and how to use one.”

The browser, currently available only on macOS, integrates ChatGPT’s “agent mode,” allowing users to delegate tasks directly from within the browser.

Windows, iOS, and Android versions are expected soon.

The launch marks OpenAI’s most direct challenge yet to Google Chrome, which dominates the global browser market with a 71.9% share as of September, according to analytics firm StatCounter.

“I used to switch between my slides and ChatGPT, taking screenshots just to ask a question. Now ChatGPT instantly understands what I’m looking at, helping me improve my knowledge checks as I go,” said Yogya Kalra, an early tester quoted in OpenAI’s announcement.

The browser launch deepens competition between OpenAI and Google, which has been scrambling to adapt its core search business since ChatGPT’s debut in late 2022.

Google recently rolled out “AI Mode,” an experimental feature that generates AI summaries alongside traditional search results.

Atlas also has optional “browser memories,” allowing ChatGPT to retain context from sites visited and recall it for future interactions. OpenAI said that these memories are private and can be deleted at any time.

The company said it has built safety features to prevent ChatGPT’s agent from taking unauthorised actions, such as executing code or accessing financial accounts.

The launch of Atlas comes as Big Tech firms increasingly integrate generative AI across consumer products.

Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest backer, already embeds ChatGPT into its Edge browser and Bing search engine, while Google has added AI summaries and planning tools into Search and Chrome.