Joe Rogan Experience for AI
Episode: Exploring Microsoft Edge’s AI-Driven Browser
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of the Joe Rogan Experience for AI, the host delves into the latest advancements of Microsoft Edge as an AI-driven browser. He explores its new features, assesses its performance through practical use cases, and discusses its potential impact on the browsing experience. The episode provides listeners with an in-depth analysis of how AI integration in browsers is shaping the future of web navigation and productivity.
Microsoft Edge's AI Integration
The host begins by highlighting the significant transformation of Microsoft Edge into an AI-powered browser. He emphasizes that this update introduces a suite of innovative features designed to enhance user experience and productivity.
[00:30] Host: "Microsoft Edge is now an AI browser and they've rolled out a whole bunch of really interesting new features I wanted to cover on the podcast today."
He contrasts Edge's AI capabilities with other AI browsers like Perplexity with Comet, noting Edge’s advantage of being free and seamlessly integrated across all its platforms.
[02:15] Host: "Edge seems like a really awesome option. It is, you know, free and it's built into all of the browsers that they have."
Copilot: The AI Assistant
A central feature discussed is the Copilot icon embedded in the Edge sidebar. The host details how Copilot can assist users by analyzing open tabs and providing actionable insights without compromising privacy.
Privacy First Approach
Initially, Copilot is enabled by default, but it restricts access to the browsing context to protect user privacy. Users must manually grant permission to allow Copilot to analyze their open tabs.
[04:50] Host: "I was like, oh man, I hate things that are automatically opted in. But I actually think that Microsoft has done this in a good way and basically to protect your privacy still."
Once permissions are granted, Copilot can perform tasks such as identifying the cheapest barbecue grills across multiple Amazon tabs, demonstrating its ability to streamline research and comparison processes.
[06:10] Host: "Based on all of your open tabs, the cheapest barbecue grill you're currently looking at is the DNKM or Charcoal Grill Outdoor Barbecue."
Practical Use Cases
Comparing Products on Amazon
The host shares his experience using Copilot to evaluate various barbecue grills on Amazon. He praises Copilot’s ability to intelligently parse product information, avoiding the pitfalls of keyword-stuffed titles typical on e-commerce platforms.
[09:45] Host: "If you click through all of the Amazon listings, I just like the way it's obviously much smarter than just like some sort of copy and paste tool."
Copilot not only identifies the cheapest option but also evaluates product quality by analyzing features and providing a second recommendation if the top choice doesn't meet specific needs.
[12:30] Host: "The Blaze Prelude was the highest quality... Because it has a bunch of features that the other one did not have."
Interacting with Specific Websites: Tesla Example
Extending beyond product comparisons, the host tests Copilot's capabilities on the Tesla website. He asks Copilot to identify the cheapest car and compare specifications across different models.
[18:05] Host: "Based on all of your tabs, the cheapest cars you're currently viewing is the Tesla Model 3."
Copilot swiftly generates comparative tables, demonstrating its efficiency and accuracy in handling complex queries.
[20:00] Host: "It spit out a table comparing all the specs... It was really useful."
Advanced Features and User Experience
Table Generation and Visualization
One notable feature is Copilot’s ability to generate detailed tables comparing product specifications. The host appreciates the flexibility to adjust the sidebar size for better visibility.
[22:15] Host: "You can drag it out to take over more of your screen or less of your screen... I was able to see everything in there."
Interactive Queries and Problem-Solving
The host further explores Copilot’s analytical capabilities by asking it to calculate the cost-efficiency of Tesla models based on price and range, showcasing the AI’s ability to perform real-time calculations.
[24:40] Host: "It accurately solved that. It basically made a table like this, showed what the range was, what the price was divided and was able to show me like dollars per mile."
Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While the host is largely impressed, he points out a few areas where Microsoft Edge's AI features could be enhanced.
Voice Interaction Issues
Attempting to use Copilot’s voice interaction feature, the host encounters microphone recognition problems. He suggests more intuitive settings for selecting active microphones, similar to platforms like Zoom.
[29:10] Host: "Something I think myself and a lot of other people would love is when you have that little bar on the bottom, maybe just a way to see like what microphone is active."
Mobile App Limitations
On the mobile version of Edge, the host notices that privacy settings links are non-functional, hindering the user experience. He acknowledges these as minor bugs that Microsoft can swiftly address.
[31:00] Host: "On the app it has a little link to the privacy settings and if you click that link, nothing actually is happening."
Overall Impressions and Future Outlook
The host concludes with a highly positive assessment of Microsoft Edge’s AI capabilities. He commends the rapid development and innovative spirit driving Edge's enhancements, likening it to a dynamic beta product constantly evolving through user feedback.
[34:20] Host: "It feels like it's a very alive product that they're putting out as fast as they can. It's very innovative. It's kind of like this beta, it's in this test mode."
He expresses excitement about the potential of AI-integrated browsers to transform daily computing tasks, emphasizing that Edge offers a compelling value proposition that could entice users to switch from their current browsers.
[36:50] Host: "This is the first time I've seen a browser that felt like it had a real interesting value proposition. That to me I was like, gee, I probably should use this because I'm actually get more work done and it's going to be very useful for me."
Conclusion
This episode provides a comprehensive examination of Microsoft Edge’s transition into an AI-powered browser. Through practical demonstrations and honest assessments, the host illustrates how AI features like Copilot can significantly enhance user productivity and streamline web interactions. While acknowledging minor flaws, the overall sentiment is one of optimism and enthusiasm for the future of AI-integrated browsing.
Listeners gain valuable insights into the capabilities and potential of AI in everyday tools, positioning Microsoft Edge as a frontrunner in the evolving tech landscape.
Notable Quotes:
-
[00:30] "Microsoft Edge is now an AI browser and they've rolled out a whole bunch of really interesting new features I wanted to cover on the podcast today."
-
[04:50] "I was like, oh man, I hate things that are automatically opted in. But I actually think that Microsoft has done this in a good way and basically to protect your privacy still."
-
[09:45] "If you click through all of the Amazon listings, I just like the way it's obviously much smarter than just like some sort of copy and paste tool."
-
[18:05] "Based on all of your tabs, the cheapest cars you're currently viewing is the Tesla Model 3."
-
[22:15] "You can drag it out to take over more of your screen or less of your screen... I was able to see everything in there."
-
[29:10] "Something I think myself and a lot of other people would love is when you have that little bar on the bottom, maybe just a way to see like what microphone is active."
-
[34:20] "It feels like it's a very alive product that they're putting out as fast as they can. It's very innovative. It's kind of like this beta, it's in this test mode."
-
[36:50] "This is the first time I've seen a browser that felt like it had a real interesting value proposition. That to me I was like, gee, I probably should use this because I'm actually get more work done and it's going to be very useful for me."
This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, providing a clear and comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened while highlighting key discussions and insights shared by the host.