OpenAI is ready to consider acquiring the Google Chrome web browser if US antitrust authorities force Alphabet to sell the popular tool. This was stated by Nick Turley, ChatGPT product manager, during the ongoing trial against Google in Washington, Reuters reports.
“Yes, we would consider that possibility – as would many other stakeholders,” Turley said when asked about a possible purchase of Chrome, Bloomberg reports.
According to the OpenAI CEO, a deeper integration of Chrome with ChatGPT would create a “truly incredible user experience”. According to Turley, this synergy would open up the possibility to show users “the first real experience of interacting with artificial intelligence”.
Google’s monopoly is under threat
The lawsuit, initiated by the US Department of Justice, aims to force Google to change its business models due to the abuse of its monopoly position in search and advertising.
In 2023, the court has already recognised that Google controls a monopoly in the online search industry. Although Google has not yet put Chrome up for sale and is preparing an appeal, discussions of a potential asset sale are already active in tech circles.
AI market: access to the user is the main obstacle
Nick Turley also acknowledged that the biggest challenge for OpenAI remains the mass distribution of products to users. Despite partnering with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into the iPhone, the company has not been successful with Android manufacturers.
Clearly, ownership of a popular browser like Chrome could provide OpenAI with a powerful channel to access hundreds of millions of users worldwide – and therefore key data and search behaviour.
The battle for artificial intelligence
The trial against Google has become an arena of struggle between tech giants for dominance in the field of generative AI. Prosecutors warn that Google’s advantage in search could turn into an advantage in AI, where the integration of new solutions with Chrome or Android will be effectively controlled.
