Microsoft has announced a groundbreaking update to Edge Copilot that allows the AI chatbot to collect and analyze information from all of a user’s open tabs. The new feature transforms the browser from a simple web viewer into an AI-powered workspace that can compare products, summarize articles, and answer questions based on the content of multiple tabs at once.
According to Microsoft ’s announcement , users will be able to choose which experiences they want to enable and which ones they don’t, providing control over privacy settings. The company is also retiring Copilot Mode , which offered similar tab information collection capabilities but also included agentic features such as the ability to book in the user’s name. These features have now been integrated into the “Browse with Copilot” tool .
See also: Microsoft: Edge's new Copilot app doesn't collect data
The new update also brings a number of additional AI features to Edge . A “Study and Learn” mode can turn any article into an interactive study or quiz, while a new tool creates AI-powered podcasts from open tabs, similar to Google ’s NotebookLM feature . Additionally, an AI writing assistant will automatically appear when a user starts typing text on a web page.
Microsoft Edge Copilot: Access your browsing history
One of the most important new features is the ability for Copilot to access a browsing history in order to provide more relevant and high-quality answers. Edge Copilot will also have “long-term memory” on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing it to tailor its answers based on previous conversations with the user.
When users open a new tab, they will see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation. The new Journeys uses artificial intelligence to organize browsing history into categories that users can easily revisit. This approach reflects Microsoft to transform the browser from a passive projector to an active AI assistant.
Meanwhile, the Edge lets users share their screen with Copilot and ask questions about what they're seeing. Microsoft promises that users will see "clear visual cues" when Copilot is active, so they know when it's performing an action, assisting, listening, or watching.
See also: Microsoft Edge leaves passwords exposed in plain text
Competition in the AI browsers market
Microsoft 's move is part of a broader competition in the browser market to integrate AI features . Google has integrated Gemini into Chrome , while Opera was among the first to add built-in AI assistants. Mozilla Firefox is experimenting with privacy-preserving AI add-ons, while Brave is focusing on privacy-first AI tools.
Industry experts have mixed views on these developments. On the one hand, the ability to compare and synthesize information from multiple sources addresses a real productivity problem. On the other hand, security and privacy experts warn of the risks such features can pose, especially in corporate environments where open tabs may contain sensitive data.
See also: Microsoft is abandoning Xbox Copilot AI
This development marks a significant shift in the way we think about web browsers. Instead of being simple tools for viewing web pages, they are becoming AI-powered platforms that can understand, analyze, and act on the content users view. This trend will continue as companies compete to define the next generation of web navigation.
