Anthropic has introduced Claude for Chrome, an AI agent that performs tasks in the browser

Anthropic has launched a test version of its new product, Claude for Chrome, an artificial intelligence agent integrated into the Chrome browser. The company announcedthis on its blog.

Currently, 1,000 subscribers to the Claude Max plan, which costs between $100 and $200 per month, have access to the tool. Anthropic has opened a waiting list for others who are interested.

Through the Chrome extension, users can communicate with Claude in a side window that “sees” the context of the browser’s work. The agent can also perform certain actions on behalf of the user if they give the appropriate permission.

Security and risks

In its blog, Anthropic warned about new risks associated with AI agents’ access to browsers. Last week, the Brave security team reported a vulnerability in Comet that allowed hidden code on websites to force the agent to execute malicious instructions. Perplexity assured that the problem had already been fixed.

In its release, Anthropic stated that it was able to reduce the success rate of such attacks from 23.6% to 11.2%. In addition, Claude does not have access to financial, pirated, or adult websites by default and will always ask for permission for “risky actions” — publishing, purchasing, or sharing personal data.

Attack scenarios. Image: Anthropic

Attack scenarios. Image: Anthropic

Attack scenarios. Image: Anthropic

 

Browsers are becoming a battleground for AI companies

The launch of Claude for Chrome is part of a broader trend in which tech giants are viewing browsers as the next “front” in the battle for leadership in the artificial intelligence industry. Perplexity recently unveiled its own browser, Comet, with a built-in AI agent, and OpenAI is rumored to be preparing to launch its own similar product. Google has also integrated its Gemini models into Chrome.

The situation is fueled by the antitrust case against Google in the US, with a final decision expected in the near future. The judge presiding over the case has suggested that the company could be forced to sell Chrome. Perplexity even made a surprise offer to buy the browser for $34.5 billion, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also expressed interest in purchasing it.

Read more: A big round of funding: Anthropic closed the $10B deal to overtake OpenAI and xAI