Microsoft brings Copilot mode to Edge as it joins AI browser race

microsoft copilot

Microsoft has rolled out a new experimental feature for its Edge browser called Copilot Mode—and it’s one of the most ambitious AI integrations we’ve seen in a browser yet. When turned on, this mode allows Edge to scan and analyse the content across all your open tabs, essentially functioning like a researcher or assistant that never tires.

In a post on X, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella showed off a use case where Copilot combed through multiple research papers written by company scientists, then offered a summarised view of overlapping ideas. The goal is to help users process information faster—especially in research-heavy or multitasking scenarios.

Copilot Mode isn’t just a summariser. It adds a persistent side pane for AI interaction that stays available regardless of what you’re browsing. You can speak to it using natural language, navigate by voice, and in future updates, even allow it to interact with your browser history or login credentials (if granted permission). That could mean tasks like booking a dinner reservation, checking travel itineraries, or summarising your last five work sessions could all be done with a few prompts.

This move places Microsoft firmly in the browser AI arms race. It’s competing with rivals like Perplexity, Opera’s Aria, OpenAI-backed integrations, and The Browser Company’s Arc browser, all of which are positioning AI as the new standard for internet navigation.

However, Microsoft still faces an adoption challenge. While Copilot is already embedded in Windows, Office, and even Surface devices, Edge continues to lag behind Chrome and Safari in market share. With Copilot Mode available for a limited time on Windows and Mac, Microsoft will be watching closely to see if this AI gamble pays off—or if users still reach for extensions and standalone AI tools instead.