❯ ChatGPT’s Chrome extension gains computer use, with Work mode filling forms and organizing tabs

Two modesAccording to IT Home via ifeng, OpenAI upgraded ChatGPT’s Chrome extension on October 16 local time. In Chat mode, ChatGPT can read open web pages and answer questions, for example comparing size, price, delivery and return policies across three sofa listings in three tabs.

Work mode takes actionWork mode handles more complex tasks: sending messages, filling out forms and organizing tabs. Examples include filling in a dentist’s form and adding a calendar entry, or analyzing several contractors’ terms and drafting an email. ChatGPT in the sidebar can also pull up the full chat history, so users can continue earlier conversations without leaving the page.

Betting on extensions over browsersThe extension is open to all plans and also works in Chromium browsers such as Edge, Brave and Opera. The report notes OpenAI’s own browser was shut down in August. Users can hand web tasks to AI without switching browsers, a far lower bar than persuading them to adopt a new one.

▮ SIGNALAI assistants are competing for the browser differently now: instead of asking users to move, they move into the browser users already have.