Microsoft has rolled out a new feature in its Edge browser dubbed Copilot Mode, a move that pushes the company further into the growing competition around AI-powered web browsing tools.
Unveiled on Monday, the feature turns Edge into an intelligent assistant capable of not just answering questions but actively helping users research, compare, and take action online, from booking appointments to navigating multiple tabs of information.
The launch comes amid a surge in demand for more intuitive and productive browsing experiences powered by artificial intelligence. Microsoft is positioning Copilot Mode as a key leap forward, integrating AI into the browser environment in a way that removes friction and anticipates users’ needs.
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Copilot Mode, still in experimental rollout, is opt-in and currently free for all Edge users on Mac or PC who already have access to Copilot. Once enabled, users are greeted with a revamped new tab experience where they can search, chat, and navigate the internet with the AI’s assistance. On any web page, the AI can help contextualize what users are reading or offer actions based on their browsing intent.
One demonstration showed how Copilot could help convert a standard recipe into a vegan version, suggesting plant-based substitutions without the user needing to rephrase or copy content into a separate chatbot. In another example, the AI companion can simply extract and present the essential parts of a webpage — such as the core ingredients of a recipe — skipping over the typical long preambles that often bog down web content.
More than just a chatbot, Copilot is designed to act like a research assistant or task manager. It can draft content, generate shopping lists, and even assist in booking hotels or flights — a function that blends search with intelligent filtering. While this kind of “agentic” behavior signals a big step in browser evolution, Microsoft acknowledges that the experience may not yet be faster or more intuitive than manual navigation, especially for seasoned web users.
Notably, Copilot allows for voice input, opening up accessibility for users who are less comfortable with digital navigation or who may have physical limitations. The feature is expected to evolve to handle more complex tasks as users permit access to browsing history, credentials, and additional context, but for now, much of the action is still manual.
Where Copilot may shine most is in research-heavy sessions. With the user’s permission, the AI can access all open browser tabs to understand the context and patterns in browsing activity. For instance, if someone is comparing flight prices across different websites, Copilot can synthesize the options and present a summary or suggest next steps. Eventually, the tool will be able to recommend where users left off on a project or nudge them forward with suggestions based on their activity.
Microsoft emphasizes that privacy controls are central to Copilot Mode. The AI can only access browsing data when explicitly authorized by the user, and this access will be visibly flagged with clear indicators in the interface. Still, the notion of an AI assistant that can “see and hear” what users are doing online — even if permission-based — raises concerns around digital surveillance, especially at a time when tech giants are under scrutiny for how they manage data.
The Race Toward AI-First Browsing
Microsoft’s move comes amid a broader race to redefine how people interact with the internet using AI. Browsers are rapidly evolving from passive information portals into active, conversational tools that aim to reduce cognitive load and take action on behalf of users. With companies like Google also integrating AI into Chrome and startups pushing AI-native browsers from the ground up, Microsoft is banking on Copilot Mode to keep Edge relevant and competitive.
The browser, once a passive gateway to the web, is now becoming a full-fledged digital assistant. However, some analysts note that the success of Copilot Mode will ultimately depend on whether users find it truly helpful or more of a gimmick than a necessity.