"The world's largest online retailer says this amounts to "computer fraud" when not disclosed. The clash between the two companies offers "an early glimpse into a looming debate" over "agentic artificial intelligence." Perplexity is among several tech firms, including Google and OpenAI, racing "to rethink the traditional web browser around AI," with automated agents that can complete tasks like emailing or shopping."
"Your browser holds "a vast trove of data about you"-including everywhere you go online, and what you do there-which can used to precisely target ads that generate revenue. And it also "contains the most important input system on the internet," a box to do Google searches. "If AI interactions are going to usurp Google searches, they have to be that easy.""
Amazon sued an AI browser maker after its new browser, Comet, could make purchases on a real person's behalf, which Amazon characterizes as undisclosed computer fraud. Companies including Perplexity, Google, and OpenAI are developing agentic browsers that can perform tasks like emailing, shopping, and booking, altering how users interact with the web. Browsers contain extensive personal data and serve as the primary input system for searches, enabling precise ad targeting. AI agents that act autonomously could undercut search-driven traffic and advertising revenue. Users report convenience from context-aware chatbots, while risks include privacy invasion, fraud exposure, and business-model disruption.
Read at The Week
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