Arc is building an AI agent that browses on your behalf

A startup called The Browser Company is aiming to revolutionize web browsing by developing an AI-powered browser that fetches results directly from the web without using search engines like Google.

CEO Josh Miller showcased a new tool in a video demonstration, where users can input specific requests like booking a restaurant reservation, and the browser automatically finds relevant information by crawling the web.

The company's product roadmap includes various features aimed at bringing internet content directly to users, including a new iPhone browser app called Arc Search, which offers a "browse for me" feature summarizing relevant links.

A new feature called "instant links" is being released, allowing users to be directly taken to a specific link rather than showing search engine results. Additionally, a "Live Folder" feature will automatically update folders with new content, such as blog posts or news articles.

The Browser Company aims to disrupt traditional browsing methods by providing faster access to information and cutting out the need for search engines, which often prioritize ad revenue.

While the company promises not to sell user data to third parties, questions remain about how AI-powered browsing impacts publishers and content creators, as well as how AI determines the "best" results for users.

With the increasing popularity of large language models (LLMs), The Browser Company believes the time is right to introduce a new browsing method that utilizes AI directly within web browsers.