The internet, as we know it, is a realm of clicks, scrolls, and human intuition. But what if an AI took the reins? This week, Google unveiled “Auto Browse” for select Chrome users, a feature designed to automate web tasks. As a journalist, I dove in, eager to witness the future – and perhaps, mourn the present.
A Glimpse into the Automated Web
Watching Google’s AI agent navigate my browser, opening tabs and attempting tasks with automated precision, evoked a peculiar mix of emotions. There was an undeniable sense of relinquished control, a subtle unease as the bot tapped away on my screen. More profoundly, perhaps, was a preemptive nostalgia for the current, imperfect web – a digital landscape shaped by human interaction, flaws and all. Google’s ambition is clear: to fundamentally reshape the user experience, envisioning a web where automated bots click on our behalf, catering to their own needs as much as ours. For now, however, this vision feels a little… clunky.
The Initial Hiccup: When the AI Just Pretended
Auto Browse is currently a limited release, accessible to US subscribers of Google’s AI Pro and AI Ultra plans. Google’s press briefing showcased its potential for tasks like booking tickets, shopping, or planning vacations. Armed with my $20-a-month subscription, I summoned the Gemini chatbot in my Chrome sidebar, ready for automation.
My first command, however, met with an anticlimactic response. Gemini claimed to have “taken over the navigation,” promising to open and close tabs. Yet, no actual clicks occurred. The bot merely “pantomimed” the deed, leaving me frustrated and questioning the hype.
Getting the AI to Actually Click
A quick log-out, browser refresh, and log-in later, the true opt-in option for Auto Browse finally appeared as a pop-up. For those encountering similar issues, a trip to Chrome settings to find the “Let Chrome browse for you” toggle might be necessary. Once activated, any direct prompts sent to Gemini in the sidebar would, theoretically, trigger the Auto Browse agent into action.
With the feature finally live, I decided to put it to the test with real-world tasks, starting with Google’s own suggested chores.
Navigating the Risks: Caution is Key
Interacting with generative AI tools demands a healthy dose of skepticism and caution. Google itself embeds disclaimers within Gemini, acknowledging its propensity for errors. Auto Browse takes this a step further, displaying a persistent warning: “Use Gemini carefully and take control if needed. You are responsible for Gemini’s actions during tasks.”
Beyond potential inaccuracies, security risks loom large. Generative AI is susceptible to prompt injection attacks, where malicious websites could divert the bot from its intended task. While Auto Browse’s vulnerabilities are still under external scrutiny, the risks could mirror those of other AI tools that gain control over a user’s computer.
Particular vigilance is advised when using Auto Browse for purchases. Google has implemented safeguards, flagging sensitive actions like buying items or posting on social media, requiring user approval to proceed. Nevertheless, the thought of an AI agent wielding my credit card information, even with safeguards, stirred a significant degree of anxiety.
The Symphony Test: A Multistep Challenge
Card in hand, I issued my first real prompt:
“I want to book two tickets to the SF symphony tonight. I don’t want to pay for orchestra seating, but the tickets don’t need to be the cheapest ones available. Please pick the two seats next to an aisle.”
Watching the AI agent work was a curious spectacle. First, Gemini 3, Google’s latest model, strategized in the sidebar, defining goals like securing two aisle seats. This “reasoning” phase, akin to a chatbot thinking aloud, preceded the actual clicking. Every step the bot took was meticulously logged for my review.
Remarkably, Auto Browse demonstrated a significant improvement over similar agent tools I’d tested previously in handling multistep tasks without veering off course. It successfully navigated to the correct website, identified the right performance, and diligently clicked through various seat sections to assess availability. The logged actions perfectly mirrored its execution.
After a couple of minutes of focused effort on the symphony tickets, the process was underway…
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