Microsoft is starting to test a new experimental co-pilot mode within its edge browser today. With AI-equipped mode, Copilot can search all open tabs and handle tasks like booking a restaurant, bringing the Copilot chatbot to a new tab page.
Copilot mode is somewhere between the limited Gemini integration Google is testing with Chrome and the AI-powered overhaul that Comet offers in AI browsers. You can ask Copilot to compare a bunch of hotels that may be looking at the best purchases from multiple product tabs so you can see all the open tabs.
Edge's Copilot supports voice navigation that allows you to find information on your website and open tabs using products that you can compare. Microsoft also plans to grant permission to Copilot and access Edge browser history and credentials, allowing the chatbot to book a booking on your behalf.
These new co-pilots at Edge are built on the existing integration of Microsoft's AI assistants in the browser and the work the company has been doing with Copilot Vision. “Copilot can quickly guide your tasks and organize your views of the past and present into useful topic-based journeys,” says Sean Lyndersay, vice president of product at Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft says it is an option and can be disabled for those who are not interested in this AI-powered mode. “Copilot Mode also lets you turn the experience on and off as you want, using edge settings,” says Lyndersay. “If you choose not to turn on Copilot mode, you can continue browsing the edge as usual.”
Microsoft calls Copilot Mode an “experimental” feature that evolves over time. Additionally, “limited time is free” and there are restrictions on the use of certain co-pilot functions. This suggests that Microsoft will eventually tie this new mode to some sort of subscription.
