OpenAI open to buying Chrome if Google is forced to sell

At Google’s antitrust trial in Washington on Tuesday, OpenAI's head of product, Nick Turley, testified that the company would consider purchasing the Chrome browser if Alphabet is ordered to divest it, Reuters reported. 

The statement came as the Department of Justice pursues structural changes to restore competition in the online search industry.

Judge Amit Mehta previously ruled that Google maintains a monopoly in search and advertising, though Google has said it plans to appeal. Chrome has not been offered for sale.

Turley also testified that Google rejected OpenAI’s request to integrate its search technology into ChatGPT. The AI firm approached after facing problems with its existing provider, which Turley did not name. ChatGPT currently uses Microsoft’s Bing for search.

In an email shown in court, OpenAI wrote to Google, “We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users.” Google declined the proposal in August, citing concerns about enabling competitors.

“We have no partnership with Google today,” Turley said.

He added that the DOJ's proposed remedies—like requiring Google to share search data—could help OpenAI improve ChatGPT’s ability to provide timely and accurate information. Turley noted that ChatGPT is still years away from being able to handle 80% of queries using only its own technology.

Prosecutors warned that Google's dominance in search could extend to AI, giving it an edge in both sectors. Google, however, insists the case isn’t about AI and says it faces stiff competition from Meta and Microsoft.

Earlier, Judge Mehta determined that Google used exclusive agreements with Samsung and others to secure its dominance. Evidence showed the company considered exclusive deals for its search app, Gemini AI, and Chrome browser.

Recent contracts with firms like Samsung and Motorola have since become non-exclusive, aligning with Google's proposed remedies. However, the DOJ wants stricter measures, including banning payments for the default placement of Google search.