WORLDWIDE:
OpenAI has expressed interest in acquiring Google Chrome if the browser is forced to go on sale, a possibility raised in the United States’ ongoing monopoly case against Google.
Nick Turley, an executive at the ChatGPT-maker, revealed the interest while testifying on behalf of the U.S. government in a trial examining Google’s dominance in online search.
The Justice Department argues Google should be broken up due to its overwhelming market control. Chrome is estimated to be used by 64% of internet users globally, according to Similarweb.
Its nearest competitor, Apple’s Safari, holds just 21% of the market.
Google has rejected suggestions that Chrome might be sold, labelling the antitrust case unfounded and harmful to U.S. consumers and innovation.
The trial, underway in Washington DC, is part of a wider effort by U.S. authorities to challenge the dominance of tech giants.
Google is currently appealing two recent court decisions ruling it held unlawful monopolies in both search and online advertising.
Turley also revealed that OpenAI previously proposed a partnership to incorporate Google search results into ChatGPT — an offer Google declined.
OpenAI is currently partnered with Microsoft, which owns the Bing search engine and the Edge browser. Meanwhile, Google is pushing forward with its own AI tools, including Gemini, which competes directly with ChatGPT.
The trial is expected to last three weeks. Other tech firms under antitrust scrutiny, including Meta, Amazon and Apple, are monitoring proceedings closely.
Recent reports suggest OpenAI is exploring the launch of its own social media network, which could put it in direct competition with X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
