[evrenesat]

“A user-agent is software that performs communication or interaction with another system on behalf of the user, historically stemming from earlier messaging systems, and literally meaning 'the user’s representative actor'.”

I guess everyone would agree that web browsers would come to our mind when we hear "user-agent" in general context. After years of forward and backward evolution of web extensions, AI powered web browsers inevitably will move forward the meaning of the term "user-agent" and deliver the value it actually promises.

Together with the advance of "browser-use" optimized local LLMs, current M4 powered Macbook Air can provide enough juice to aid users' web browsing needs. I believe soon AI hubs installed at homes, or cloud based private AI inference engines will become much more accessible offerings to help with mobile browsers as well. Overall, I think it's ridiculous to criticise Mozilla for introducing optional AI features on Firefox.

[AlexandrB]

This sounds like a marketing shpiel rather than a prediction. I think the primary value offered by AI browsers will be to the AI vendors - as they will have far more control over user behavior as well as far better ability to surveil and monitor for marketing purposes.

[evrenesat]

This is what I have believed and expected since I first heard the term 'user agent' 25 years ago.

[adam_patarino]

I'm telling you, with all the cost and problems with cloud AI, local is where it's going to be.

I'm genuinely shocked people are driving around in Atlas right now, showing OpenAI how to click buttons and how to login to their bank accounts.