Google is expanding its AI footprint inside Google Chrome, adding a persistent Gemini sidebar and new agentic capabilities as it responds to a wave of AI-first browsers from rivals including OpenAI and Perplexity. The updated Chrome experience embeds Gemini directly into a sidebar, allowing users to ask questions about the current page or groups of related tabs, a feature designed to support comparison shopping and research workflows.
Google confirmed the rollout extends Gemini in Chrome to Chromebook Plus devices and introduces image-editing via Nano Banana integration. In the coming months, Chrome will also gain access to Google’s personal intelligence system, enabling AI assistance using data from Gmail, Search, YouTube, and Photos. More advanced auto-browse agent features are launching initially for U.S. AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
