Google quietly shuts down its browser AI agent, 'Project Mariner.'

It has been revealed that Google quietly shut down its browser-based AI agent, ' Project Mariner .'

Project Mariner

https://labs.google.com/mariner/landing

Google shuts down Project Mariner | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/tech/925559/google-project-mariner-shut-down

Project Mariner is an AI agent announced by Google in December 2024 that can understand and automate information on a web browser. Initially available only to trusted testers, it became available in May 2025 through Google AI Ultra, Google's paid subscription service.

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However, it was quietly announced on the official website that the service was shut down on May 4, 2026, local time. The official website states, 'Thank you for using Project Mariner. Project Mariner service ended on May 4, 2026, and its technology has been taken over by other Google products. For complex tasks, please try Gemini Agent .'

The Verge, a technology media outlet, pointed out that 'over the past year, Google has been integrating Project Mariner's capabilities into other AI tools. One example is Gemini Agent, which can archive emails on behalf of users and help them make hotel reservations. Google has also integrated Project Mariner's agent functionality into AI Mode, an AI-powered search feature.'

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Furthermore, Google announced that in January 2026, it would introduce a side panel to Chrome that would allow access to Gemini 3. This would enable users to utilize an 'auto browse' feature that allows them to use an AI agent from within Chrome. The auto browse feature allows Chrome to perform multi-step tasks. Google has not revealed whether the auto browse feature was developed by Project Mariner, but The Verge pointed out that 'it appears to be a countermeasure against AI agent-based browsers offered by OpenAI, Perplexity, OpenClaw, and others.'

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