Chrome Adds Built-in Gemini AI Sidebar

Google has integrated its Gemini AI into Chrome for all U.S. desktop users, adding a dedicated sidebar button that gives native access to Gemini across tabs. The integration lets users analyze content spanning multiple open tabs without switching windows, and Google says Chrome’s address bar will gain an “AI Mode” later this month to support multi-part questions with follow-ups directly where people search and navigate.

The company also previewed upcoming agentic features designed to perform multi-step tasks autonomously — examples mentioned include grocery shopping and booking appointments. By embedding Gemini into the browser itself, Google aims to turn Chrome’s massive install base into a broad AI distribution channel, making an assistant sidebar as ubiquitous as the URL box.

Why this matters: while rival AI-focused browsers and sidebar tools have emerged, Google’s move leverages Chrome’s dominance to mainstream AI in everyday browsing. The rollout signals a shift from isolated AI tools to integrated, context-aware assistants embedded directly into core user workflows.

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