Google recently accidentally leaked a preview of its new Jarvis AI, a tool designed to automate web browsing tasks directly in Google Chrome. The AI, intended to help with actions like online shopping and booking vacations, appeared briefly on the Chrome extension store under the description “a helpful companion that surfs the web with you.” Google quickly removed the Jarvis AI prototype from its Chrome extension store after users downloaded it. Google plans to officially unveil Jarvis in December
Those who managed to download the Jarvis AI prototype from Google’s Chrome extension store before it was taken down found that it did not work as expected. The tool required specific access permissions, which prevented users from completing tasks with the assistant.
Project Jarvis
Google designed Jarvis AI as a smart assistant within the Chrome browser to help users automate various online tasks. Initially, it allowed for tasks such as making purchases, booking flights, and handling other routine actions directly in the browser, without needing separate software.
However, the Jarvis prototype faced some challenges, particularly with access permissions, causing it to malfunction when tested. Despite this, it highlights Google’s broader ambition to enhance productivity and user interaction by integrating AI directly into the browser.
Google had planned to roll out Jarvis AI in December 2024 as part of its next-generation AI tools, which would compete with similar AI assistants, such as Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet, which expands automation beyond browsers to desktop environments This move places Google’s Jarvis in direct competition with AI solutions from companies like Microsoft, which is also working on task automation for productivity tools.
For example, Anthropic’s Claude AI assistant has been in public beta since October 2024. Unlike Google’s browser-centric Jarvis, Claude offers broader capabilities, allowing it to take control of a computer’s desktop environment. It can perform tasks like typing text, clicking buttons, and moving the cursor, making it a more versatile solution that extends beyond the web.
Google faces challenges in refining the user experience for its AI tools, especially when integrating them with existing platforms like Chrome.
