OpenAI Set to Launch “Aura” Browser Soon

OpenAI Aura Browser

OpenAI is preparing to roll out a web browser internally dubbed Aura. Sources uncovered code references such as “is Aura” and “Aura Sidebar” in ChatGPT’s web interface.

Tibor Blaho, who is a lead engineer at AIPRMcorp shared a screenshot of code snippets from ChatGPT’s web app with clear details:

OpenAI Set to Launch “Aura” Browser Soon

Built atop Chromium, Aura will feature deeply embedded AI tools, including Operator and ChatGPT, to automate tasks like summarizing content, filling out forms, booking reservations, and enabling voice‑command controls.

A Reuters briefing indicates Aura by OpenAI aims to transition browsing into a conversational, agent‑driven experience, keeping interactions within a native ChatGPT interface rather than traditional web tabs.

Integration with Operator (an agent launched in January 2025 capable of executing repetitive browser tasks) suggests Aura browser may offer autonomous web behavior from day one.

By giving OpenAI direct insight into user behavior like what pages are visited, how users engage with content and more, Aura could position OpenAI to rival Google’s ad‑revenue engine.

As Google Chrome currently controls around two‑thirds of global browser usage, making Aura’s launch a high‑stakes attempt to shift data control and user attention.

This move follows competitive interest from firms like Perplexity, Brave, and The Browser Company, all of which are harnessing AI to redefine browsing.

OpenAI’s bet is that its massive base of ChatGPT users (reported at roughly 500 million weekly) will be enticed by a browser that acts like a personal assistant.

Privacy advocates caution that Aura may raise new concerns if user data is centralized for model training and monetization.

OpenAI will need to balance innovation with transparency to win trust.

With reports suggesting Aura’s debut as a beta is imminent, possibly targeting ChatGPT Plus users in the U.S. by late July or early August , this project represents OpenAI’s most ambitious push yet into defining how users will navigate the web in the AI era.

If Aura delivers seamless, intelligent browsing it could prompt a major shift in the market. But persuading users to abandon default browsers will require clear, compelling value beyond novelty and hype.

As OpenAI and its rivals race to embed AI at the heart of everyday browsing, the company’s next steps will reveal whether Aura can truly redefine what a browser should do.