OpenAI could be a potential buyer of Google Chrome if the US Department of Justice (DOJ) succeeds in its effort to break up the tech giant’s dominance in search. During court testimony on Monday, OpenAI’s head of product, Nick Turley, confirmed that the company would be interested in acquiring the world’s most popular browser should Google be forced to divest it.
The revelation came during the remedies phase of the DOJ’s antitrust case against Google, following a 2023 ruling by Judge Amit Mehta that declared Google a monopolist in the online search market. The DOJ has proposed a range of remedies, including separating Chrome from Google’s core business. Google has stated its intention to appeal the decision.
OpenAI Wanted to Partner With Google Search
Turley also disclosed that OpenAI approached Google in 2023 to form a partnership that would allow ChatGPT to tap into Google’s search technology. While ChatGPT currently relies on search data from Microsoft’s Bing, Turley did not name Microsoft directly. Instead, he referred to a provider dubbed “Provider No. 1,” with which OpenAI has experienced “significant quality issues.”
According to court documents, OpenAI wrote in a 2023 email that it believes “having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users.” However, Google declined the proposal, and Turley confirmed that OpenAI has no current partnership with Google.
Building Its Own Search Index
In response to its search challenges, OpenAI has been working on developing its own search index to improve the quality and independence of results used by ChatGPT. The company had originally planned for the tool to power 80% of ChatGPT’s search queries by the end of 2025, but Turley testified that this goal will likely take longer to reach.
The DOJ’s push to potentially split up Google’s search and browser businesses could lead to one of the most dramatic shakeups in tech history. If Chrome becomes available, OpenAI’s interest in acquiring it signals just how valuable the browser is in shaping the future of AI-driven internet experiences.
Key Highlights:
OpenAI is building its own search index, but progress is slower than expected.
OpenAI is open to buying Chrome if it’s divested by Google.
DOJ is pursuing antitrust remedies after ruling Google monopolized search.
OpenAI previously sought to partner with Google Search but was turned down.
