Nick Turley, the head of ChatGPT at OpenAI, recently indicated in court that the company would be interested in purchasing Google’s Chrome browser if ordered to do so by a court ruling. This testimony was presented during Google’s ongoing antitrust trial with the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is expected to unfold over the next three weeks. Turley acknowledged that other parties might share OpenAI’s interest in acquiring Chrome.
The context of this discussion is rooted in a previous ruling by Judge Amit Mehta, which found that Google is in violation of antitrust laws due to its monopolistic control over the search market. The DOJ has suggested divesting key assets like Chrome and potentially Android as a means to level the competitive landscape. Turley highlighted that integrating Chrome into OpenAI’s ecosystem could enhance user experience by illustrating what an AI-first approach truly entails.
Turley also expressed concerns over OpenAI’s challenges in gaining traction within Android smartphones, where Google’s own AI technology, Gemini, dominates. He noted that major tech players like Google control the pathways through which users discover products, creating barriers for innovative solutions like ChatGPT. In contrast, Google maintains that its search engine and related products remain the preferred choice for users.
The company has defended its practices by asserting that it has made modifications to contracts with manufacturers like Samsung, allowing for a range of AI applications on their devices. Google continues to dominate in advertising revenue, which underscores the difficulties potential buyers might face if forced to purchase significant parts of its business. The outcomes of the trial will likely have profound implications for the tech landscape.