Another browser? No, we don’t need another browser. Chrome has been my go-to for over a decade. Incremental updates with the same familiar interface. It does what I need in a way I’m accustomed to. It syncs everything I need from my history to my passwords. But am I missing out on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) bandwagon?
Last week, something fortuitous happened. A friend texted, “Dude, try OpenAI’s Atlas—it’s wild.” I rolled my eyes. Another AI gimmick? Thirty minutes later, I was truly intrigued. It can generate AI images and videos on the spot. I also asked it to summarize a 50-page PDF – and it did, on the spot. This was like the computer from Star Trek – if you’re old enough to remember.
Atlas Actually Talks
A typical Google Chrome search starts with you typing a search query, and the results are page after page of text links, many of which are sponsored. Atlas attempts to interpret the reason behind your query and provides a top result with additional relevant information. For example, if you type or speak “best pizza in Minneapolis under $20” and it doesn’t just list spots—it pulls reviews, checks current deals, and spits out: “Big Lou’s two slice deal is $18 tonight with a free soda if you order online before 7 p.m.” Boom. Your decision is made. No clicking through multiple websites and dodging pop-ups.
My mom tried it yesterday. She’s 72, still double-clicks everything, and asked, “What’s a good movie for grandkids that isn’t too scary?” Atlas replied in plain English: “The Secret of NIMH on Disney+—rated G, 82 minutes, talking animals, not scary. Play trailer?” She hit “yes,” and the trailer started. She and I were amazed.
It Remembers YOU
Chrome remembers your tabs and search history, sure. But Atlas remembers you, but not in a creepy way. It learns your habits on your device, not through data mining on a foreign server farm. So when you search for “flights to Miami,” it remembers what times you prefer to travel and what your favorite airlines are, and whether you prefer an aisle or window seat. It then shows you three options, with any pertinent alerts, like: “Southwest just dropped $29—book in the next 11 minutes to lock it.”
It’s Free
OpenAI dropped this week (October 21, 2025) and became available for download, starting with macOS users worldwide. You can download and use ChatGPT Atlas on macOS right now. No paywall to start browsing, no “Pro-only” features locked behind a plan. You can import your bookmarks, passwords, and history from Chrome or Safari for free.
Atlas Could Put the Hurt on Google
Google’s strength doesn’t just lie in Chrome—it’s built on habits and reluctance to change. Still, change is coming.
Atlas wants to break your browser habit by outperforming Google Chrome in ways that matter to you. For example, when you are planning a trip. It can build an entire itinerary based on a simple query. Confused by a complex document? Upload it, and Atlas explains and summarizes the document in an easy-to-understand manner.
The markets are watching. Google’s parent, Alphabet, saw a 2% dip the day Atlas launched. This is not exactly a panic, but it is something to keep an eye on. Some tech analysts have said that if Atlas grabs even 5% of Chrome’s users, it could represent billions in ad revenue.
Take Atlas for a Test Drive
If you’re curious and want to see it for yourself, here’s what to do:
Download it (Mac only) https://chatgpt.com/atlas
Import your Chrome bookmarks (optional)
Ask Atlas, which would take considerable time and work on Google, like: “Plan a $400 weekend in Miami for two foodies.”
Here’s what I got: a lineup of Miami’s Latin flavor…
It’s Your Internet
While this is about browsers, it’s more about who controls what you see on the web. Google has had a near monopoly on web search for 20 years. And yes, Atlas undoubtedly has its own agenda – like using your queries to train their AI models –, but it’s refreshing to have access to the web without Google’s heavily curated lens and sponsored links.