OpenAI says it would consider buying Chrome browser if regulators force Google to sell. During courtroom testimony this week, Nick Turley, Head of Product for ChatGPT at OpenAI, said the company would be interested in purchasing Google Chrome if it puts it on the market. 

Speaking in a Washington, D.C. courtroom, Turley said, “Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” according to Bloomberg. He added that integrating Chrome into OpenAI could allow it to create a more deeply embedded, AI-first browser experience for users.

Turley is testifying as part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing antitrust case against Google, which centers on the company’s dominance in the online search and advertising markets. Part of the Court testimony says Google has been paying Samsung monthly to preinstall the Gemini AI app on Galaxy devices.

Last year, a Federal Judge ruled that some of Google’s core search practices violate antitrust laws. Following the ruling, the DOJ has been seeking remedies to prevent future dominance. One option by the DOJ is to force Google to divest parts of its business such as Chrome browser or Android OS.

OpenAI could integrate ChatGPT into Chrome

ChatGPT is currently available as a Chrome extension. But Turley argued that a closer integration between ChatGPT and Chrome could unlock a much smoother and more powerful user experience. “We would have the ability to introduce users to what an AI-first experience looks like,” he said.

He also said it will benefit OpenAI’s product development and how it serves its users if Google is pushed to share its Search data.

According to the report, Turley’s argument wasn't just about a potential Chrome acquisition, but about how dominant platforms like Google have blocked competitors by controlling access points like browsers and app stores. “People discover via a browser or an app store,” he said. “Real choice drives competition. Users should be able to pick,” he argued.

OpenAI once tried to partner with Google Search but Google said no

Turley pointed out that OpenAI had previously tried to form a partnership with Google to integrate its search API into ChatGPT but was turned down by Google. According to Reuters, in a message shown in court, OpenAI told Google, “We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google's API, would enable us to provide a better product to users.” OpenAI currently has a partnership with Microsoft. SearchGPT uses Bing’s indexing system.

Google says it will not put Chrome up for sale

According to Similarweb, Chrome commands about 64% of global browser usage, with Apple’s Safari trailing far behind at 21%. That makes Chrome a prime distribution channel, and a powerful asset in the AI and search market. 

But Google says Chrome isn’t for sale. The company insists the lawsuit should be dropped. Kenneth Smurzynski, Google's lawyer argued that despite claims of Google's dominance hurting competition, ChatGPT leads the U.S. AI market with an 85% share. Google also points to competition from other AI-focused companies like Meta, Perplexity, and other generative AI companies.

Smurzynski further pointed out that OpenAI’s recent massive $40 billion funding round and a $300 billion valuation show its success. OpenAI also beat Google to a major deal with Apple, integrating ChatGPT into Apple devices even without a full search index, he argued.

OpenAI has been building its search index to power ChatGPT with more up-to-date and independent search results but is far from its goal of relying on it for most queries by 2025, Turley said.

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