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OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas Browser, Taking Direct Aim at Google Chrome

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OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Atlas on Tuesday, its first AI-powered web browser, positioning it as a serious challenger to Google Chrome’s dominance. Built around the company’s flagship chatbot, Atlas integrates conversational search, task automation, and real-time web interaction into one platform — a move that could reshape how users navigate the internet.

With more than 800 million weekly ChatGPT users, OpenAI aims to extend its reach into everyday browsing, potentially capturing vast amounts of consumer interaction data and accelerating the shift from keyword searches to AI-driven query synthesis. The launch triggered market ripples, with Alphabet (GOOGL.O) shares falling 1.8% in afternoon trading.

Atlas introduces features such as a ChatGPT sidebar that summarizes articles, compares products, and extracts data directly from websites. A premium “agent mode” allows ChatGPT to autonomously complete online tasks, from trip planning to shopping. In a live demo, the AI browsed for a recipe, then purchased all listed ingredients via Instacart, demonstrating what OpenAI calls “autonomous digital agency.”

The browser debuted on Apple’s macOS, with Windows, iOS, and Android versions coming soon. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the launch represents the company’s broader mission to “reimagine how people interact with information and the web.”

The move intensifies OpenAI’s rivalry with Google, which has been embedding its Gemini AI model into Chrome and search results. Google Chrome still commands 71.9% of the global browser market, according to StatCounter, but analysts say Atlas could erode that lead — especially if OpenAI enters the digital advertising space.

“Integrating chat into a browser is a precursor for OpenAI to start selling ads,” said Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Davidson. “If it does, it could take a meaningful share of search advertising from Google, which currently holds about 90% of that market.”

The launch of Atlas marks a new phase in OpenAI’s challenge to Big Tech dominance, potentially transforming how people browse, search, and transact online — and redefining the balance of power in the AI era.

Apple Explores Potential Acquisition of AI Startup Perplexity, Bloomberg Reports

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Apple (AAPL.O) executives have held early internal discussions about possibly bidding for artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to a Bloomberg News report on Friday citing sources familiar with the matter. However, the talks are in preliminary stages and may not result in an offer, with no direct communication reported between Apple and Perplexity management.

Perplexity stated it has no knowledge of any current or future merger and acquisition discussions involving the company. Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This potential move aligns with a broader trend of major tech companies ramping up investments in AI technologies to strengthen their competitive edge amid growing demand for AI-powered services. Bloomberg also reported that Meta Platforms (META.O) had attempted to acquire Perplexity earlier this year. Meta recently announced a $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI and appointed its CEO, Alexandr Wang, to lead a new superintelligence division.

Apple’s head of mergers and acquisitions, Adrian Perica, has reportedly discussed the possibility with services chief Eddy Cue and top AI leaders. The company aims to integrate AI-driven search functionalities, like those from Perplexity AI, into its Safari browser, which could reduce its reliance on Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google — a longtime default search partner.

This shift comes amid ongoing U.S. Department of Justice efforts to limit Google’s dominance in online search, including proposals to ban payments that secure default search engine status. While traditional search engines like Google remain dominant globally, AI-powered search tools such as Perplexity and ChatGPT are gaining traction, particularly among younger users.

Perplexity recently completed a funding round valuing the startup at $14 billion, making any acquisition deal at that scale potentially Apple’s largest to date. The Nvidia-backed company offers AI search services that provide users with summarized information, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Glean Reaches $7.2 Billion Valuation Amid AI Investment Surge

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AI search startup Glean announced on Tuesday that it has reached a valuation of $7.2 billion following its latest funding round — the company’s third capital raise in under two years. This represents a valuation increase of nearly 57% since its previous round in September, where its value had already more than doubled in just over six months, highlighting continued strong investor demand for AI-driven companies.

The Palo Alto-based enterprise AI firm secured $150 million in this latest round, led by asset management firm Wellington Management. As public markets remain uncertain, many startups like Glean are choosing to remain private longer, raising significant late-stage funding. According to Michael Ashley Schulman, partner at Running Point Capital Advisors, “Founders avoid the volatility of public markets and employees receive secondary-market liquidity via structured rounds.”

Founded in 2019 by former Google search engineers, Glean has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue in its last fiscal year. The company develops AI-powered search tools and large language models that provide businesses with personalized query responses, aiming to optimize enterprise productivity and internal information management.

Glean’s 72x valuation multiple on revenue is considered aggressive, but Schulman noted that investors are receiving “early access to a franchise,” particularly given that the company is currently cash-flow positive.

Earlier this year, Glean introduced its Glean Agents platform, which enables businesses to automate various operations through AI. The company expects the platform to facilitate 1 billion agent actions by the end of 2025. Industry leaders have pointed to AI-based agents as one of the most transformative applications of artificial intelligence. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has also highlighted how AI agents could disrupt the long-dominant software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model.

The AI sector continues to attract robust global investment as enterprises and governments pursue artificial intelligence for diverse use cases such as drug discovery, infrastructure management, and productivity enhancement.