OpenAI announced Tuesday the launch of ChatGPT Atlas, a web browser that embeds its AI assistant directly into the browsing experience. The new application aims to eliminate the friction of switching between browser tabs and ChatGPT by allowing the AI to access page content and execute tasks within the browser itself.
Atlas is available now for macOS users across OpenAI’s Free, Plus, Pro, and Go tiers, with Business users receiving beta access. Enterprise and Edu users can access the browser if their administrators enable it. Versions for Windows, iOS, and Android are planned but not yet scheduled.
The browser’s core differentiator is its ability to maintain context across browsing sessions through what OpenAI calls “browser memories”—a system that stores information from websites users visit to inform future AI responses. This feature is optional and disabled by default.
Context-Aware Browsing and Memory Systems
Atlas integrates two types of memory functionality. The first carries over existing ChatGPT conversation history, allowing the AI to reference previous chats. The second, browser memories, is new to Atlas and stores details from websites users visit.
Users can ask the AI to recall information like “Find all the job postings I was looking at last week and create a summary of industry trends” without manually collecting that data. The system allows users to view, archive, or delete stored memories through settings, and clearing browsing history automatically removes associated memories.
A toggle in the address bar controls which sites ChatGPT can access. When disabled for a specific site, the AI cannot view page content and no memories are created from that page.
OpenAI states that browsing content is not used for model training by default. Users must opt-in through data controls, and websites that have implemented GPTBot opt-out protocols will not be used for training regardless of user settings.
Agent Mode Functionality
The browser includes agent mode, currently in preview for Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers. This feature allows ChatGPT to perform actions in the browser autonomously, including opening tabs, navigating websites, and completing multi-step tasks.
Use cases include having the AI compile ingredients from a recipe, locate a grocery store, add items to a shopping cart, and complete checkout—or reviewing team documents, conducting research, and synthesizing information into reports.
The AI requests user permission before taking actions and can be manually activated via a dedicated button. OpenAI describes this as an early-stage feature that may fail on complex workflows but says improvements to reliability and task completion are ongoing.
Security Limitations and Risks
OpenAI has implemented several restrictions on agent mode. The system cannot execute code in the browser, download files, install extensions, or access applications or file systems outside the browser. It pauses before taking actions on websites identified as financially sensitive.
Despite these safeguards, the company acknowledges significant security concerns. Agents can be vulnerable to hidden malicious instructions embedded in webpage content or emails, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or unintended actions on behalf of the user.
According to OpenAI’s system card for the agent feature, the company conducted thousands of hours of red-team testing and designed adaptive safeguards, but states these measures will not prevent all attacks. The company recommends users operate agent mode in logged-out sessions when handling sensitive information and actively monitor the AI’s activities.
Parental controls from standard ChatGPT accounts apply to Atlas, with additional browser-specific controls allowing parents to disable browser memories and agent mode.
Interface and Future Development
The browser’s new tab page functions as a unified interface for queries and URL entry, displaying results with optional tabs for search links, images, videos, and news content. The AI can suggest next actions based on browsing patterns, such as returning to previous pages or automating repetitive tasks.
OpenAI’s development roadmap includes multi-profile support, enhanced developer tools, and improved integration for Apps SDK developers. Website operators can implement ARIA tags to optimize how the agent interacts with their sites.
The browser is available for download at chatgpt.com/atlas and supports importing bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history from existing browsers during initial setup.
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