Microsoft predicts AI will make web browsers and search engines obsolete in years
Generative AI may replace web browsers and search engines within five years, says Microsoft’s AI chief.
Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft’s AI division, envisions a future where generative AI replaces traditional web browsers and search engines within three to five years. He highlights the convenience of AI assistants like Copilot, which can handle queries and tasks directly, eliminating the need for cumbersome manual navigation. Despite this potential, challenges such as minimizing hallucinations in AI-generated information remain significant obstacles to widespread adoption.
Companies like Google and OpenAI are exploring similar innovations, such as Google’s Project Jarvis, which automates tasks by controlling user browsers, and OpenAI’s potential AI-integrated browser for ChatGPT. These advancements challenge the traditional, document-focused internet model, fragmenting web pages into personalized, interactive streams of information. Analysts like Om Malik predict that AI-driven interfaces will play a critical role in emerging technologies like AR and VR, further sidelining traditional web tools.
The concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is a pivotal milestone for these developments, though its timeline remains debated. Suleyman estimates AGI could emerge within two to ten years, allowing AI to perform most tasks requiring human knowledge. In contrast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes AGI is already achievable with existing technology, marking a fundamental shift in how AI systems operate in everyday life.