Google Unveils Project Mariner: A New Era in AI Web Browsing

At Google I/O 2025, Google unveiled Project Mariner, an experimental AI-powered web-browsing agent. The program, which interacts with webpages on users’ behalf, promises to transform internet browsing into hands-free AI experiences.

Project Mariner, which was first proposed in late 2024, is now available to Google’s new AI Ultra plan members at a monthly cost of $249.99. With this debut, Google hinted worldwide expansion, claiming that support for many countries is on the way.

The AI Ultra approach is not the only way to get to Project Mariner. Google is also including it into the Gemini API and Vertex AI, enabling developers to integrate the agent in their own apps. This means that Project Mariner might soon fuel everything from automated shopping to booking services on third-party sites.

Smarter, Faster, and Built for Multitasking

One of the most notable improvements to Project Mariner is its ability to handle up to ten tasks at once. Unlike the previous version, which required users to keep the agent open in a browser tab, the new version runs on cloud-based virtual computers. This improvement enables users to multitask freely while the AI operates in the background.

Early users reported problems in the prototype version, such as the inability to move tabs or utilize other programs while the AI was active. Google addressed this by reengineering the backend, resulting in a more seamless, efficient user experience.

Project Mariner’s capability extends beyond basic browsing. Users can now do difficult operations such as purchasing baseball tickets or shopping groceries online without visiting a website. Instead, people communicate via a conversational interface, while the agent completes the task autonomously.

Google has obviously positioned Project Mariner to compete with other experimental agents such as OpenAI’s Operator, Amazon’s Nova Act, and Anthropic’s Computer Use. However, the tech titan is convinced that its tweaks will set it apart from the competition.

Coming Soon: AI Mode and Agent Mode

Looking ahead, Google plans to incorporate AI Mode into its search engine. This experimental feature, first available through Search Labs, tries to combine search and direct action powered by Project Mariner.

The company is also planning to launch Agent Mode, a more complex experience that combines browsing, research, and app integrations. Ultra subscribers will be among the first to use it on desktop, as Google collaborates with sites such as Ticketmaster, StubHub, and Vagaro to expand its functionality.

Project Mariner is Google’s most daring attempt yet toward altering the internet. This agent eliminates the requirement for users to browse websites directly. Instead, AI will handle the work including searching, clicking, and purchasing, while consumers sit back and watch things completed.

If successful, Project Mariner has the potential to transform not only online browsing, but also how businesses interact with customers in the age of intelligent automation.