According to WIRED, Google’s new Auto Browse feature for Chrome aims to automate web tasks like shopping for clothes, planning trips, and purchasing tickets, but real-world testing revealed mixed results.
The publication tested the AI agent’s capabilities hands-on and found that while Auto Browse represents an ambitious attempt at browser automation, the feature “didn’t quite click” in practice, as stated in their headline. The AI agent is designed to take over Chrome and perform complex multi-step tasks on behalf of users.
WIRED’s testing suggests that Auto Browse can handle some of its intended functions, but the technology appears to fall short of delivering the seamless, reliable automation that Google envisions. The article’s framing—“Or at least, that’s the idea”—indicates a gap between the feature’s promised capabilities and its actual performance during hands-on evaluation.
The feature represents Google’s entry into the growing field of AI agents that can autonomously navigate websites and complete tasks, though WIRED’s experience suggests the technology may still need refinement before achieving widespread practical utility.