Anthropic has introduced a research preview of a browser-based AI agent powered by its Claude AI models. The new extension, Claude for Chrome, is initially available to 1,000 subscribers on Anthropic’s Max plan, priced between $100 and $200 per month, with a waitlist open for other users.
The extension allows users to interact with Claude in a sidecar window that keeps track of everything happening in their browser. It can also be granted permission to perform certain tasks on behalf of the user, enabling more seamless interactions across websites.
The browser is increasingly becoming a focal point for AI innovation. Companies are integrating AI agents into browsers to offer more direct and efficient tools for users. Perplexity recently launched Comet, a browser featuring an AI agent capable of offloading tasks, while OpenAI is reportedly close to releasing a similar AI-powered browser. Google has also introduced Gemini integrations with Chrome in recent months.
The race to develop AI-powered browsers is intensified by Google’s pending antitrust case, with a final decision expected shortly. A federal judge has indicated that Google could be forced to sell Chrome. Perplexity has reportedly made an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid for the browser, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has suggested his company would also consider purchasing it.
In its announcement, Anthropic cautioned that AI agents with browser access present new safety challenges. Last week, Brave’s security team reported that Comet’s browser agent could be susceptible to indirect prompt-injection attacks, in which hidden code on a website could manipulate the agent into executing unintended instructions.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
