OpenAI Eyes Chrome Acquisition If Google Forced to Sell in Antitrust Case

As the fate of the Google Chrome web browser hangs precariously in the balance due to the ongoing Google antitrust case brought forth by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against tech giant Google, new developments are emerging that could significantly alter the landscape of online browsing. One major player that has stepped into the spotlight is OpenAI, a leader in artificial intelligence research and development.  

If Google is forced to sell off Chrome, it has a buyer. Credit: VCG / Visual China Group / Getty Images

If Google is forced to sell off Chrome, it has a buyer. Credit: VCG / Visual China Group / Getty Images  

During the latest proceedings in the DOJ Google trial’s remedy phase, OpenAI executive Nick Turley provided testimony highlighting his company’s strong interest in a Chrome acquisition should the DOJ’s proposal come to fruition. This proposal, aimed at dismantling Google’s perceived search monopoly remedy, includes the potential Chrome divestiture — a move that could reshape the tech industry.  

The implications of such a sale would be monumental. Chrome, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive library of extensions, commands a substantial share of the web browser market. If OpenAI were to proceed with a buy of Chrome, they could leverage their expertise in artificial intelligence to innovate and enhance the browser, potentially transforming how users interact with the web.  

As the trial progresses, with the DOJ pushing for structural changes to foster competition, Nick Turley testimony underscored OpenAI’s strategic antitrust interest. When questioned about OpenAI’s intent, Turley stated, “Yes, we would [acquire Chrome], as would many other parties,” emphasizing the competitive stakes.  

OpenAI’s potential Chrome acquisition aligns with its broader ambitions. The company, already a key rival to Google in AI, could use Chrome’s 66% market share to refine its machine learning models and user engagement strategies. This aligns with reports that OpenAI is developing its own browser, hiring ex-Chrome engineers, and integrating AI-driven features like autonomous browsing.  

Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling that “Google is a monopolist” set the stage for the search monopoly remedy phase, where the DOJ is also pushing Google to share search data. OpenAI antitrust interest was further revealed when Turley disclosed that the company previously sought a licensing deal with Google for search data to enhance ChatGPT’s real-time capabilities — a request Google declined.  

With OpenAI already partnering with Microsoft (using Bing for ChatGPT’s search results), access to Google’s data could, as Turley noted, “build a better product faster.” Meanwhile, the Chrome divestiture remains a focal point, as losing the browser to OpenAI would not only weaken Google’s dominance but accelerate AI’s disruption of traditional search.  

In conclusion, the DOJ Google trial could catalyze seismic shifts. A Chrome acquisition by OpenAI would mark a strategic victory in the AI arms race, while the search monopoly remedy might force Google to relinquish control over critical assets. For users, competitors, and the tech ecosystem, the implications are vast — potentially redefining how we access and interact with information online.