Google has updated its Chrome browser’s “Enhanced Protection” mode, now incorporating AI-powered capabilities into its Safe Browsing feature. Previously referred to as “proactive protection,” this mode will now use AI to enhance Chrome’s ability to provide real-time protection against harmful sites, downloads, and extensions.
This change, spotted by Leo on X, means that Chrome users will benefit from advanced detection methods powered by artificial intelligence, even identifying potentially dangerous sites that Google may not have flagged before.
The new AI-powered protection will allow Chrome to perform deeper scans of downloads, improving security for users as they navigate the web. It also enhances protection across all Google services, especially when users are logged into their Google accounts. This shift indicates that AI is being used to provide more proactive and comprehensive security, helping to keep users safe from emerging threats in real-time.
In addition to security enhancements, Chrome is also introducing AI into its tab management features. The “Group Tabs” option in Chrome Canary has been rebranded to “Group Tabs with AI,” reflecting the addition of AI-powered organizations. This feature automatically organizes open tabs, making it easier for users to manage multiple tabs and maintain a more streamlined browsing experience.
Another update in Chrome’s AI integration is the renaming of the “Close unused tabs” feature to “Review inactive tabs.” Instead of automatically closing tabs that have been inactive for a certain period, this updated feature gives users the option to review tabs that have been unused for seven or more days. This allows users to make more informed decisions about whether to keep or close their tabs.
These updates, currently being tested in Chrome Canary, represent Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience and security through AI. While it is still unclear when these features will be available in the stable version of Chrome, the move signals Google’s commitment to incorporating AI into more aspects of its browser, offering users smarter and more efficient tools for browsing the web.