Google's 'Auto Browse' AI Agent Struggles with Common Sense Tasks

The new Chrome feature aims to automate web browsing, but the author finds it lacks the nuance and serendipity of human-directed internet exploration.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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The author tests Google's new 'Auto Browse' feature, which uses AI to automate web browsing tasks like booking tickets, shopping, and planning trips. While the tool can technically perform these tasks, the author finds it lacks the common sense and attention to detail that a human would have, leading to suboptimal results. The author expresses concern about the potential security risks and loss of control that come with handing over browsing tasks to an AI agent, and wonders whether the web experience will become less serendipitous if such automation becomes the norm.

Why it matters

Google's 'Auto Browse' feature represents a broader push by tech companies to use AI to streamline and automate everyday online tasks. However, this experiment highlights the limitations of current AI systems, which can struggle with nuanced decision-making and the unpredictable nature of human preferences. As AI becomes more integrated into web browsing, there are concerns about the potential loss of user agency, security vulnerabilities, and the erosion of the serendipitous exploration that many find rewarding about the internet experience.

The details

The author tests 'Auto Browse' by asking it to perform various tasks, including booking symphony tickets, finding a leather jacket, and planning a camping trip. While the tool is able to technically complete these tasks, it often falls short in ways that a human would not. For example, when booking symphony tickets, the AI agent selected seats that were not next to each other, despite the author's instructions. When shopping for a jacket, the agent simply selected the top three search results without any curation or consideration of the author's preferences. And when planning the camping trip, the agent only checked availability for one of the suggested locations, leaving the author to do additional research.

  • The 'Auto Browse' feature was released by Google to US users who subscribe to its AI Pro and AI Ultra plans in January 2026.

The players

Google

The technology company that developed the 'Auto Browse' feature as part of its Chrome web browser.

Reece Rogers

The author who tested the 'Auto Browse' feature and wrote about his experience.

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What’s next

Google has indicated that the 'Auto Browse' feature is currently in a limited release, and it remains to be seen how the company will address the limitations and security concerns highlighted in this article as the tool is further developed and rolled out to a wider audience.

The takeaway

This experiment with Google's 'Auto Browse' feature underscores the ongoing challenges of integrating AI into everyday web browsing tasks. While the technology shows promise, current AI systems still lack the nuanced decision-making and common sense that humans rely on, raising concerns about the potential loss of user agency and the erosion of the serendipitous exploration that many find rewarding about the internet experience.