I recently tried out Google’s new Auto Browse feature in Chrome, an AI-driven tool designed to automate web browsing tasks like shopping and booking tickets. While initially excited, I quickly encountered a mix of nostalgia and apprehension as the AI took over my browser.
Auto Browse, released to certain Google subscribers, aims to transform how we navigate the internet by letting an AI agent handle routine tasks. However, I found this initial iteration lacking in reliability and intuition.
Getting Started with Auto Browse
Upon opening Chrome and attempting to activate Auto Browse via the Gemini chatbot, my experience was less than seamless. Initially, the bot only pretended to operate my browser without any real actions. After logging out and refreshing, I finally accessed the tool and could opt-in to Auto Browse through settings.
Once activated, I attempted various tasks suggested by Google, starting with booking tickets for the SF Symphony. The bot seemed to function well at first, strategizing my request to find two aisle seats. However, the result was two separate tickets in different rows, a miscommunication that could have ruined a date night.
Shopping Experience
Next, I asked Auto Browse to help find a leather jacket on a second-hand platform. The bot added the first three results to my cart without any real curation. While it was somewhat helpful, the tool lacked the qualitative judgment that a human shopper would typically exercise.
Final Prompt: Camping Plans
I attempted a more complex request, asking for campground options within three hours of San Francisco. This task took considerably longer, but the results were underwhelming, with the bot only checking availability at one location and directing me to confirm options elsewhere on my own.
Observations
Google’s initiative to use AI for browsing tasks aims to streamline the web experience, but as I found, it often falls short. The Auto Browse tool can navigate and click through options, yet it lacks the nuanced decision-making that human users bring to online interactions. This limits its effectiveness for critical tasks, particularly those involving financial transactions.
While the evolution of generative AI may eventually reshape our online experience, relying on Auto Browse feels too risky for now. There’s an inherent joy in the organic exploration of the internet that I wouldn’t want to miss, despite the allure of more efficient browsing habits. For the time being, I’ll stick to my manual clicks.
