AI Detection

Browser Extension Manager automatically identifies browser extensions that use artificial intelligence capabilities. As AI-powered extensions proliferate, organizations need visibility into which extensions are sending data to AI services, generating content, or integrating with large language models. The AI detection system classifies extensions into two tiers based on the confidence of the detection.

Two-Tier Classification

Every extension that Browser Extension Manager identifies as AI-related receives one of two classification levels:

Confirmed - The extension appears on a curated list of known AI extensions maintained by Delinea. These extensions have been individually reviewed and verified as AI-powered.

Suspected - The extension was not found on the curated list but triggered one or more heuristic signals that indicate AI involvement. Suspected extensions have not been individually verified by Delinea and may include false positives.

Confirmed

A Confirmed classification means the extension appears on a curated list of known AI extensions maintained by Delinea. These extensions have been individually reviewed and verified as AI-powered.

The curated list includes:

  • AI writing assistants and grammar tools

  • AI-powered search and summarization extensions

  • Chatbot and conversational AI interfaces

  • AI code assistants and developer tools

  • AI image generation and editing tools

  • AI translation extensions that use neural machine translation services

Delinea updates the curated list periodically as new AI extensions are published and existing ones are reviewed. The list is delivered to Browser Extension Manager through standard product updates.

Suspected

A Suspected classification means the extension was not found on the curated list but triggered one or more heuristic signals that indicate AI involvement. Suspected extensions have not been individually verified by Delinea and may include false positives.

An extension classified as Suspected may turn out to be a standard extension that happens to share characteristics with AI tools. Administrators should review Suspected extensions and use enforcement policies to allow or block them based on organizational requirements.

How Detection Works

The AI detection system evaluates extensions in two stages. The curated list is checked first because it provides a definitive answer. Heuristic detection runs only when the extension is not found on the curated list.

Stage 1: Curated List Lookup

Delinea maintains a list of known AI extension identifiers (store IDs) across all supported browsers. When Browser Extension Manager discovers an extension during inventory collection, it checks the extension's store ID against this list. A match immediately classifies the extension as Confirmed.

The curated list is the most reliable detection method because each entry has been manually verified. It covers the most popular and widely deployed AI extensions but cannot cover every AI extension in existence, which is why heuristic detection exists as a fallback.

Stage 2: Heuristic Detection

When an extension is not on the curated list, Browser Extension Manager applies a set of heuristics to determine whether the extension is likely AI-related. The heuristics examine three categories of signals:

Host and API Permission Analysis

The extension's declared host permissions and API permissions are compared against known AI service endpoints and vendor backend domains. Examples include:

  • API endpoints for major AI providers (for example, endpoints associated with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Cohere, Mistral, DeepSeek, Perplexity, Groq, and other large language model services)

  • AI vendor-specific backend domains used by popular AI extensions for model inference, content generation, or data processing

  • Writing and translation service domains commonly used by AI-powered extensions

An extension that requests access to one or more of these domains is likely communicating with an AI service.

Keyword Analysis

The extension's name and description are scanned for keywords and phrases commonly associated with AI functionality. Signal terms include:

  • Direct AI references: AI, artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural network, deep learning, natural language, NLP

  • Provider and model names: GPT, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, LLM, OpenAI, Anthropic

  • Capability indicators: generative AI, large language model, text generation, image generation, prompt engineering

  • Feature descriptors: AI writing, AI assistant, AI copilot, AI agent, AI summarize, AI translate, AI chat, chatbot

Keyword matching uses the extension metadata as published in the browser store. A single keyword match in a relevant context is sufficient to trigger a Suspected classification.

Combined Signal Evaluation

The heuristic engine considers all signals together. A single strong signal (such as a host permission pointing to a well-known AI API endpoint) is enough to classify the extension as Suspected. Multiple weaker signals that individually might not be conclusive can also combine to produce a Suspected classification.

Viewing AI Classification Details

Administrators can see which signals triggered an AI classification in the Extension Resource Detail View. The detail view shows:

  • Classification level – Confirmed or Suspected

  • Detection method – Whether the classification came from the curated list or heuristic detection

  • Triggering signals – For heuristic detections, the specific signals that contributed to the classification, such as matched host permissions or keywords found in the extension name or description

This transparency allows administrators to make informed decisions about whether a Suspected extension warrants further investigation or should be added to an enforcement policy.

Impact on Risk Scoring

AI classification directly affects an extension's Risk Scoring. Confirmed AI extensions receive a +10 modifier and Suspected AI extensions receive a +5 modifier. These modifiers are added on top of the permission-based score, reflecting the additional data handling considerations that AI extensions introduce.

The AI modifier alone does not push an extension into a higher risk level. It is one of several factors in the overall score calculation. An extension with minimal permissions and a Suspected AI classification may still score as Low risk.

Keeping the Curated List Current

The curated list is updated as part of the standard Browser Extension Manager update cycle. Delinea continuously monitors browser extension stores for new AI extensions and evaluates existing entries for accuracy. Administrators do not need to take any action to receive list updates.

If your organization discovers an AI extension that is not on the curated list and is not detected by heuristics, contact Delinea support. Reporting undetected AI extensions helps improve the curated list for all Browser Extension Manager customers.

Common Questions

Can I disable AI detection?

AI detection is part of the standard extension inventory process and cannot be disabled independently. If your organization does not need to track AI extensions, you can disregard the AI classification column in reports.

Does AI detection affect enforcement?

AI classification is informational. It feeds into the risk score and appears in reports, but enforcement policies are based on explicit Allow List and Deny List entries, not on AI classification alone. See Building Enforcement Policies for details on creating policies that target specific extensions.

What happens when an extension is reclassified?

If an extension moves from Suspected to Confirmed (because it is added to the curated list), the classification and risk score update automatically on the next inventory collection cycle. The change is reflected in reports without administrator intervention.