Generative AI is now connected to browsers and they change the nature of how we receive information.
The currents ones include Perplexity Comet; ChatGPT Atlas (app for Macs only): and a recent microsoft enhancement of Copilot Mode in the Edge browser.
What AI browser agents do, is to enable automated task executions. So the AI browser does not only find links, but also undertakes selection, actioning of tasks, and follow throughs. For example, the AI browser will be prompted to find a restaurant within a given parameter. It can also be prompted to make a booking and email the confirmation back.
The above has significant implications for teaching and learning. The ability to have the AI embedded in a browser, opens up resources available. For learning, AI browsers can 'mine' a website to not only summarise the content, but to also pose 'revision' questions on the content. For teaching, there will be the ability to aggregate assignments for analysis of whether learners have understood the concepts being assessed and to recommend remedial resources to learners (individually). For example, Think Academy provides an overview of how Perplexity Comet can be deployed at school to support learners and teachers.
Tom's guide discusses the reasons for using Perplexity's Comet instead of Chrome. - prefacing the blog with the phrase 'a smarter way to browse'. There has been some push-back with regard to Perplexity Comet, especially the way it has been marketed to students. Ethical principles have not been followed and this is always going to be a challenge when the 'public good' goals of education, meet the profit driven tech company. xda-developers recommends NOT to use AI browsers due to their security risks. This is because to execute tasks, AI browsers will have access to your passwords etc. and launch these onto the web!! Hence, like all technology tools, it is important to understand what they do, how they work and to learn how to use them properly.
Therefore, for AI browsers, it is now a 'watch this space' scenario, as people come to grips with possibilities and challenges. There are many advantages but also many things to be wary about. Until the security issues are addressed, it will be prudent to be very careful when using AI browsers.
