Google Pulls the Plug on Project Mariner: What Happens Next?

In a recent development, Google has decided to discontinue Project Mariner, an experimental feature aimed at automating tasks across the web. This decision was reported by Wired journalist Maxwell Zeff. Users visiting the Project Mariner landing page are now greeted with a message stating that the feature was shut down on May 4th, 2026, with its technology being integrated into other Google products.

Earlier this year, Google unveiled a new AI-powered functionality known as “auto-browse,” capable of executing complex tasks within Chrome, such as price research for flights. While Google has not explicitly linked this feature to Project Mariner, it appears to be a response to similar web browsing tools offered by entities like OpenAI, Perplexity, and OpenClaw.

The removal of Project Mariner suggests that Google may be paving the way for the introduction of other AI-driven features, potentially set to debut during the upcoming I/O event starting on May 19th. As of now, Google has not provided any official statement in response to queries from The Verge.