ChatGPT owner, OpenAI has shown interest in buying Google’s Chrome browser should it be made available for sale amid its ongoing antitrust case. Alphabet’s Google has been held in court after a judge found the company monopolised the online search market and related advertising. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked that the company be forced to divest Chrome.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, a ChatGPT Chief, Nick Turley, said that acquiring Chrome would allow OpenAI to offer an incredible experience and introduce users to what an AI-first browser looks like.
The executive had been summoned by the Justice Department to testify in the trial process aimed at determining which business practices Google must modify. It also seeks to require the popular search engine to undertake far-reaching measures in restoring competition in online search.
Last August, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found that Google protected its search monopoly through exclusive agreements with Samsung Electronics and other smartphone manufacturers to have its search engine installed as the default on new devices. Documents at the trials also revealed that the leading search engine had contemplated deals with Android phone makers that would provide exclusivity for not only its search app but also for its Gemini AI app and Chrome browser.
At the court trials on Tuesday, Google’s executive, Peter Fitzgerald, noted that it had sent letters explaining that its agreements did not prohibit the companies from installing other AI products on new devices. However, the company is aiming to loosen its most recent deals with Samsung, Motorola, Verizon, and AT&T, allowing them to install rival search engines.
While Google is busy showing evidence that it isn’t monopolising the market, the DOJ wants the judge to ban the company from making lucrative payments in exchange for the installation of its search app.
Also Read: Google may be forced to sell Chrome for up to $20 billion.
Google’s search monopoly and AI search engine integration
Amid the monopoly case, the trial also provided a glimpse into the generative AI race, where Big Tech companies and startups are vying to build up their apps and gain users.
Prosecutors raised concerns in opening statements on Monday that Google’s search monopoly could give it advantages in AI, and that its AI products are another way to lead users to its search engine. In defence, the search engine company pointed out competition among companies offering generative AI products, such as Meta Platforms and Microsoft.
Last year, Turley stressed in a document that ChatGPT was leading in the consumer chatbot market and did not see Google as its biggest competitor. He testified that this was meant to inspire OpenAI employees that the company would still benefit from distribution partnerships.
On the other hand, the ChatGPT Chief explained that Google shot down a bid by OpenAI to use its search technology within ChatGPT after experiencing issues with its own search provider in July 2024. ChatGPT uses technology from Microsoft’s search engine, Bing.
“We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users,” OpenAI told Google, according to an email shown at trial.
Also, Turley noted that the DOJ’s move to make Google share the online search market with other competitors would help accelerate the effort to improve ChatGPT.
“Search is a critical part of ChatGPT to provide answers to user queries that are up-to-date and factual. ChatGPT is years away from its goal of being able to use its search technology to answer 80% of queries,” he added.
OpenAI has reportedly considered working on a web browser to compete with Chrome. It went to the extent of hiring ex-Google developers Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher, who had previously worked on the original Chrome project.
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