How to Create and Customise Generative AI Themes in Google Chrome

Personalising your web browser transforms daily computer work into a more enjoyable and visually stimulating experience. While the Chrome Web Store has offered static themes and community wallpapers for years, Google has integrated native generative artificial intelligence directly into the browser. Powered by Google’s on-device and cloud AI models, Create with AI allows you to generate completely unique, bespoke themes—encompassing high-resolution New Tab wallpapers and harmonised browser frame colour schemes—in just a few clicks without installing third-party extensions.

What Are Generative AI Themes in Chrome?

Unlike pre-packaged store themes that apply fixed images and static tinting, Chrome’s generative theme engine creates original artwork based on four customisable creative prompts:

• Subject: The core focal point of the artwork (such as Aurora Borealis, Cyberpunk City, Botanical Garden, or Zen Temple).
• Artistic Style: The rendering aesthetic (ranging from 3D Animation, Oil Painting, and Watercolour to Anime and Origami).
• Mood: The atmospheric tone of the illustration (such as Tranquil, Moody, Serene, or Dreamy).
• Colour Palette: The dominant tinting used to generate the image and automatically shade Chrome’s top tabs, address bar, and bookmark shelf.

Prerequisites and Availability

To use Chrome’s generative AI theme builder, ensure your workstation meets these basic criteria:

• Browser Version: Google Chrome version 121 or later on Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS.
• Account Sign-In: Signed in with an active Google Account (personal account or Workspace account where AI features have been enabled by the domain administrator).
• Language and Region: Feature is available globally in English and expanding across additional regional locales.

Step 1: Accessing the “Customise Chrome” Side Panel

The generative theme generator is housed within Chrome’s side panel tools:

1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Open a New Tab (or press Ctrl + T on Windows / Cmd + T on Mac).
3. Look at the bottom-right corner of the New Tab page and click the Customise Chrome button (marked with a pencil icon).
4. A side panel will slide open on the right side of the browser window.

Step 2: Launching the “Create with AI” Engine

Inside the Customise Chrome panel:

1. Click on Change theme at the top of the panel.
2. Under the available options, select Create with AI.
3. A set of prompt selectors will appear, allowing you to configure your creative inputs.

Step 3: Selecting Subject, Style, Mood, and Colour

You can fine-tune the parameters or select pre-configured inspiration presets:

1. Choose a Subject: Click the Subject dropdown to pick from diverse categories (such as Landscape, Nature, Building, Sci-Fi, or Food).
2. Select a Style: Click the Style menu and select your preferred artistic direction (e.g., Photorealistic, Geometric, Impressionism, or Claymation).
3. Define the Mood: Pick an atmospheric descriptor (e.g., Playful, Sublime, Dark, or Calm).
4. Choose Primary Colour: Click the colour swatch to select a dominant tone (e.g., deep blue, terracotta, sage green, or amethyst).
5. Click the blue Create button at the bottom of the panel.

Step 4: Reviewing and Applying Generated Themes

Within seconds, Chrome generates a gallery of six distinct wallpaper variations based on your criteria:

1. Click through the thumbnail variations to preview them live on your New Tab screen.
2. Notice how Chrome’s top tab strip, address bar (Omnibox), and window frame automatically shift to a complementary accent colour harmonised with the artwork.
3. If you like an option, leave it selected; Chrome saves it as your active theme immediately.
4. If you want different alternatives, click Create again or adjust any individual parameter (such as changing the mood from Serene to Dramatic).

Step 5: Managing Past AI Themes and Restoring Defaults

Chrome maintains a rolling history of your recent creations:

• Access Recent Themes: Scroll down in the Create with AI side panel to the Recent themes carousel. Click any previous creation to switch back to it immediately.
• Reset to Default Chrome: If you ever wish to return to the standard browser theme, open the Customise Chrome side panel, click Change theme, and select Classic Chrome.

Troubleshooting Missing AI Theme Options

If you open Change theme and do not see the Create with AI button:

• Verify Experimental Features (Chrome Flags): Type chrome://flags into the address bar, press Enter, search for #create-themes-with-ai, set it to Enabled, and relaunch the browser.
• Check Workspace Admin Policies: Enterprise and school Google Workspace accounts often disable generative AI tools centrally via admin console policy. Switch to your personal Google Account profile to use the tool.
• Update Chrome: Navigate to Help > About Google Chrome to ensure you are running the latest stable build.

Personalising Your Daily Browsing Space

Chrome’s native generative AI theme creator provides an effortless way to keep your desktop workspace fresh and inspiring. By combining custom subjects, art styles, and harmonious accent colours, you can tailor your browser aesthetic to match your mood, project focus, or personal taste in seconds.