Introduction

On July 28, 2025, Microsoft launched a major update to its Edge browser: a built-in “Copilot Mode” powered by AI. The feature helps users manage tasks across tabs, summarize page content, compare search results, and even execute complex workflows without manually switching contexts.
“Copilot Mode lets Edge think for you—organizing browsing by intent, not tabs,” said a Microsoft spokesperson, as the firm positions itself to compete directly with rival AI-native browsers from OpenAI and startups like Perplexity.

Why it matters now

• Browsers evolve beyond windows: Copilot Mode reframes web use—no longer passive document viewers but active assistants.
• Search friction drops: Users no longer need to bounce between tabs or rely on static search queries.
• Competitive push: Microsoft joins xAI and Perplexity in the AI-browser variant race, accelerating a shift in how browsers are designed.

Call-out

Edge’s Copilot Mode blurs the line between browsing and doing—AI handles intent, not just content.

Business implications

• Enterprises can deploy Edge as a task automation layer for research, compliance, and competitive intelligence.
• Digital marketers and publishers face changing click funnels as Copilot displays summaries over click-through pages.
• Security teams must reassess browser-agent permission models and data flow as Copilot spans sessions and domains.

Looking ahead

Microsoft plans to roll Copilot Mode into enterprise edge deployments later this quarter, enabling custom prompts, memory integration, and fine-grained control over AI personalization. Analysts expect that by 2027, 25% of browser users will rely on agentic features (summaries, workflows) rather than standard tab-based interfaces.

The upshot: Copilot Mode signals that the browser has become more than a container—it’s now an intelligent intent manager. As disruption spreads from chatbots to core browsing, Edge may redefine what productivity means online.

Source: Reuters coverage of Microsoft Edge Copilot Mode launch, July 28, 2025.