Anthropic has opened up its Claude AI integration for Google Chrome to a wider audience. Previously restricted to those on the $200 monthly Max plan, the browser extension is now accessible to all individuals with any paid Claude account.
This Chrome extension from Anthropic provides seamless interaction with the AI across various websites, though its standout feature is enabling Claude to handle web navigation and tasks independently. According to Anthropic, the AI can process forms, organize schedules and emails, and execute complex sequences of actions from simple instructions. The updated extension now connects with Claude Code, the company's AI-assisted programming system, and lets users capture a process to guide the AI in performing specific operations.
Prior to the rise of agent technologies as a key trend, the concept of 'computer use'—where AI interprets and engages with digital interfaces—received significant attention from Anthropic and rival firms. Today, such capabilities form part of a broader set of tools for AI agents, yet the skill in identifying and activating on-screen elements remains essential to the functionality of Claude's Chrome extension.
Competitors like OpenAI and Perplexity provide comparable autonomous features through their ChatGPT Atlas and Comet browsing tools. Notably, Google remains the sole major player that has not fully released its AI to independently browse or operate on the web. While Gemini can be invoked within Chrome to query page content, it lacks the ability to take control of web activities. Capabilities showcased earlier in Project Mariner are expected to roll out eventually.