Did Microsoft just copy OpenAI’s Atlas? New AI browser sparks comparisons

Microsoft has introduced a new Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, which the company describes as an “AI browser.”

The development comes only two days after OpenAI unveiled its AI-powered “Atlas” browser, a strikingly similar product.

The feature integrates AI directly into Edge, transforming it from a standard browser into what Microsoft calls a “dynamic, intelligent companion.”

CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, said in the announcement that Copilot Mode will allow users to browse more efficiently by summarising pages, comparing information, managing tabs, and even performing actions such as booking hotels or filling out forms, all with user consent.

However, the timing has sparked buzz online. The new Copilot Mode was announced just 48 hours after OpenAI showcased Atlas, a product with a nearly identical interface and functionality.

While Microsoft’s rollout was likely planned weeks in advance, the resemblance between the two browsers hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Visually, the two look almost identical. Microsoft’s version has a darker background, Windows-style buttons, and a few layout tweaks, but the overall design, an AI assistant that rides alongside your browsing, mirrors Atlas closely.

Despite the similarities, the real difference will likely lie beneath the surface, in the AI models powering each tool.

Still, the back-to-back launches highlight the escalating rivalry between Microsoft and OpenAI, two AI giants that were once partners, but are now competing head-to-head in the fast-growing AI browser race.