OpenAI has launched Atlas, a web browser powered by ChatGPT Search. Positioned by OpenAI as a “super-assistant” offering a hyper-personalised search experience, Atlas’ release comes at a time when AI is disrupting traditional online search and Big Tech companies are actively vying to dominate the AI search market.
About Atlas
Atlas is currently available worldwide on MacOS only and exists as its own application. It includes the following features:
- Query bar homepage: Like the default ChatGPT conversation page, Atlas’ main page has a conversation bar that users can type their search query or website URL in.
Image Source: OpenAI
- ChatGPT side panel: When users visit a website, a side panel where they may chat with ChatGPT will appear.
Image Source: OpenAI
- Browser memory: Atlas can remember users’ browsing history and past conversations with ChatGPT, which it may reference in future search queries.
- Agent mode: This feature enables ChatGPT to perform tasks on varying websites on behalf of the user, such as making online purchases.
Image Source: OpenAI
The AI Overhaul of Traditional Search
OpenAI’s move to launch Atlas is part of a broader shift in how people find information online. AI overviews in traditional search engines like Google and Microsoft Edge now answer user questions without requiring them to click into web pages.
At the same time, AI assistants like Atlas, Microsoft’s CoPilot, and Perplexity’s Comet provide avenues for users to search for information using conversational language rather than keyword-based search.
With 50% of consumers intentionally choosing AI-powered search engines (McKinsey), OpenAI’s Atlas represents one of the many moves that Tech giants have made in attempt to dominate the new era of search.
References:
For more information on how AI is impacting search, check out the following articles:
DISCLAIMER: OpenAI’s Atlas is currently not enabled for Mediacorp’s ChatGPT Enterprise users. This article is intended solely for readers’ information, and further updates will be shared should access become available.
