In a significant development announced at Google I/O 2025, the tech giant has now reportedly rolled out Project Mariner, an experimental AI agent designed to enhance how users interact with the web.
This initiative represents Google’s ambitious effort to revolutionize online task management by enabling users to delegate browsing activities to an AI.
Project Mariner, which was first introduced in late 2024, allows users to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
According to Google, this updated version can handle nearly a dozen tasks at once, significantly improving its functionality compared to earlier iterations that operated within the constraints of a user’s browser.
Available to subscribers of Google’s new $249.99-per-month AI Ultra plan, Project Mariner marks a shift in user experience, allowing individuals to engage with the AI for tasks such as purchasing tickets or shopping for groceries without the need to navigate third-party websites.
Instead, users can interact directly with the AI, which will visit the necessary sites and execute actions on their behalf.
This rollout comes amid increasing competition among tech companies developing similar AI agents.
Project Mariner will compete with offerings from OpenAI, Amazon, and Anthropic, all of which are still in experimental phases.
Despite the promise of these technologies, early prototypes have faced criticism for being slow and prone to errors.
Google has stated that it has incorporated feedback from initial testers to refine Project Mariner’s capabilities. The AI now operates on virtual machines in the cloud, enabling users to continue other activities while the agent completes tasks in the background.
This enhancement addresses a major limitation of the original design, which restricted users from accessing other tabs or applications while the AI was in operation.
In addition to Project Mariner, Google unveiled an early demo of another feature called “Agent Mode.”
This new functionality combines web browsing with research capabilities and integrates with other Google applications. Ultra subscribers will soon gain access to this feature on desktop.
Looking ahead, Google plans to introduce Project Mariner in AI Mode, an AI-driven Google Search experience, as part of its ongoing efforts to innovate in online user interaction.
This feature will initially be limited to Google’s Search Labs, a testing ground for new search functionalities.
As Google continues to enhance its AI offerings, the implications for the broader internet economy are significant.
These advancements could transform how users navigate online, potentially shifting the dynamics between consumers and service providers.
With the launch of Project Mariner and related features, Google is poised to redefine digital interactions and set new standards for web-based AI applications.
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