Google is trying out a major tweak to how AI works in Chrome, most notably by linking Google Lens to the browser’s native AI side panel. This is currently popping up in Chrome Canary – the experimental playground where Google tests new features before they hit the mainstream.
The big change is that Lens no longer functions as just a standalone image lookup tool. Instead, Chrome’s full AI interface is now enabled directly in the side panel, bringing image search, page reading and chat together in a single place.
In this new setup, activating Lens does more than just highlight an image. The AI panel opens on the right and offers you a chat box, suggested questions and quick actions. Because the panel can “read” the webpage you are currently on, you can ask questions about the article without ever having to leave the tab.
When testing, the AI processes summaries and context pretty much instantly, keeping everything in a single thread. It’s also linked to Chrome’s broader AI system, meaning your visual searches and chat sessions finally live in the same vein, reinforcing the idea that Google wants search, vision and chat to feel like a cohesive experience.
Why it matters and what comes next
Why it matters: This update is a clear sign that Google wants Chrome to be more than just a passive window to the web; You want it to be an active workspace. By merging Lens with “AI Mode,” they position the browser as an intelligent assistant that sits alongside what you’re reading. It’s no longer a separate tool you have to switch to, but a helper that actually understands the context of your screen.
Why you should care: Ideally, this means less tab clutter and faster responses. Whether you’re deep in research, shopping online, or reading a complex article, having AI that can see what you see – and explain it – without you having to leave the page is a huge workflow improvement. It feels like a natural step toward the “assistant-first” browsing experience that Google is pushing on Android and in search.
What’s next: This is still in the “rough design phase” at Canary and the interface is clearly a work in progress. However, the way it connects the page panel, address bar, and your task history suggests that Google is serious about building a unified AI layer in Chrome. If it survives testing, this lens-powered panel could fundamentally change the rhythm of how we search and read online.
