Google's move to layer Gemini and AI features in Chrome, including AI agents, will revamp the browser just as a bevy of players are looking to reinvent the primary vehicle for enterprise applications.
In a blog post, Google outlined how it was building Gemini into Chrome and will soon be available in Google Workspace with "enterprise-grade data protections and controls."
For businesses, Google users will be able to use Gemini to take actions within Google Calendar, Docs and Drive without leaving the browser.
Google also said Chrome will get agentic AI tools in Gemini so an AI agent can act on your behalf. These browser tools land just as Google launched its latest agentic AI standard AP2 for transactions. See: Google's Agent Payments Protocol fleshes out AI agent commerce
The Gemini, AI and Chrome integrations come as multiple parties are trying to reinvent the browser. Among Google's large competitors, Microsoft's Edge is adding AI features and layering in Copilot. But the real action is elsewhere--and often in the enterprise.
Atlassian's move to acquire The Browser Company is a bet that the browser needs to be reinvented for SaaS apps. Perplexity launched Comet to bring AI to the front of the browser. Secure browsers are now critical for the enterprise with AI agents posing security risks.
- Atlassian buys The Browser Co. for $610 million
- Secure browsers will matter more with AI agents
- Pondering the future of enterprise software
Google's big Chrome update closes those emerging browser gaps. As Constellation Research analyst Holger Mueller explained, Google doesn't have to be first with AI features in Chrome. It just has to be on par with what's happening and get AI agents right.
Muller said:
"Google is generally ahead on AI in general, but when it comes to putting it into Chrome it shows all the signs of a market leader - no need to be the first, more important to get it right. So this new release is important as it brings features to Chrome that users could get otherwise already, and brings Google back to par with Chrome if not ahead. Google's fast follow approach allows it to avoid the mistakes and false starts earlier AI pioneers have seen."
Other AI features added to Chrome are the following:
- Gemini in Chrome will work across multiple tabs, consolidate information and act on them.
- Gemini can recall previous sites and projects to keep you from scrolling through history.
- Work through Google apps without changing tabs.
- Add context with AI Overview from any current page.
- Chrome will detect spam unwanted notifications within the browser and feature an AI agent that makes it easier to change compromised passwords.
