According to the article on TechCrunch, AI-powered browsers like Comet and ChatGPT Atlas are available but their real usefulness remains unclear. The author argues that while these browsers offer some efficiency improvements—such as summarizing pages, automating simple tasks, or integrating an AI assistant within the browsing window—those gains currently feel modest and primarily benefit early adopters willing to tolerate imperfections.
One of the key points is that for an AI browser to show value, it requires significant access and trust from the user: permission to view or interact with web pages, tabs, emails or other connected services. That raises questions about privacy, security and data-ownership. The article notes that many users may not be ready to grant this level of access, or may not see sufficient benefit in return.
Another issue highlighted is that many of the tasks these AI browsers attempt—booking appointments, summarizing web content, managing emails—can already be done with existing tools or traditional browsing workflows. The question becomes whether the integrated AI browser actually simplifies the experience significantly or simply repackages existing functionalities. According to the article, the current versions are “slight efficiency gains” rather than truly transformational.
In conclusion, the article suggests that AI browsers are currently best suited for power users, experimenters and companies exploring new workflows, rather than mainstream users. For broader adoption, they will need stronger differentiators (such as more reliable automation, deeper integration) and clearer value propositions that outweigh the trade-offs in access and trust.
