July 29, 2025 – On Monday (local time), Microsoft made an announcement about the rollout of a brand – new Copilot mode (in experimental stage, currently available only for Windows and Mac versions) in its Edge browser. Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, stated, “This marks our first step in reshaping browsers for the AI era.”
Drawing inspiration from Perplexity’s Comet browser, Microsoft has integrated an AI agent into Edge. Once this mode is enabled, Edge activates a set of new AI – powered features. Instead of just sitting idle and waiting for users to click a button, it predicts the user’s next possible actions. Rather than forcing users to manually sift through a large number of open tabs, it acts as a collaborative assistant to help users organize the information flow, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the user’s online search activities.
As depicted in the accompanying image, when Copilot mode is turned on, the new tab page in Edge transforms into a streamlined, integrated input box that combines chat, search, and web navigation functions.
With this setup, the AI can expedite task processes by actively comprehending user intentions. Users simply need to voice their questions, and the Edge browser will automatically conduct searches, integrate the information, and present a final comparison result.
For instance, when a user has multiple travel and vacation websites open for comparison, they can directly ask, “Which accommodation is closest to the beach and has a kitchen?” The AI will provide an instant answer, saving users a significant amount of time that would otherwise be wasted on manual searches.
The browser also supports natural voice command control. Users can issue instructions like “Find a specific piece of information on the page” or “Open multiple tabs for price comparison,” aiming to reduce the number of clicks and inputs required.
Microsoft has revealed that more advanced features will be introduced in the future, but these will require additional authorization. These features can handle complex tasks on behalf of users, such as booking meals and making travel arrangements. For example, if a user says, “Find a paddle – board rental near my company,” the AI will automatically recommend the best option, check the weather conditions, complete the reservation, and even offer suggestions for sunscreen or provide video tutorials.
In addition, the AI will generate theme – based tasks based on the user’s browsing history. For example, when researching “How to start an online store,” Copilot will automatically recommend video tutorials on website building and clearly display visual cues to indicate its background running status.
