Google has rolled out new Gemini AI tools for its Chrome browser, including a sidebar for multitasking and an integrated image generator. The updates also preview an 'Auto Browse' agent to automate web tasks. These enhancements aim to make browsing more personalized and efficient.
Google announced several AI-driven updates to its Chrome browser on January 28, 2026, building on recent integrations in services like Gmail. The rollout begins with a sidebar interface available to all Gemini in Chrome users, enabling conversations with the AI assistant across multiple tabs. This feature supports multitasking, such as comparing options in numerous tabs, summarizing product reviews from various sites, and scheduling events in busy calendars, according to Google representatives. A Google employee highlighted its utility during a press briefing, noting how testers use it for diverse tasks in chaotic workflows. The sidebar also integrates Nano Banana, Google's in-house image generator previously limited to the Gemini app. Users can now generate or edit images directly from any open tab without switching windows or handling file uploads. Looking ahead, Personal Intelligence will arrive in Chrome in the coming months. This tool, which debuted in the Gemini app earlier in January, remembers past interactions to deliver a more tailored browsing experience. Google described it as transforming Chrome into 'a trusted partner that understands you and provides relevant, proactive, and context-aware assistance.' Chrome already incorporates Connected Apps, allowing Gemini to access data from Gmail and Calendar. In a demo, the AI retrieved March break dates for an employee's children directly from their email without specific prompts. A key preview is the 'Auto Browse' feature, powered by the Gemini 3 model. This AI agent autonomously navigates the browser to complete tasks like booking flights, finding apartments, or filing expenses. In a demonstration, it planned to repurchase a specific winter jacket by searching the user's email for details on model and size, then proceeded to shop while pausing for permissions on sensitive steps, such as entering login credentials or payment information. Google positions Auto Browse as ideal for routine activities, like weekly grocery orders, and it's now available in preview for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US. While the feature's pace may be slower than manual browsing, it promises to streamline repetitive online errands.
