AI startup Perplexity AI has offered $34.5 billion to buy Google’s Chrome browser, citing antitrust opportunity.
SAN FRANCISCO: Artificial intelligence search company Perplexity AI has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, aiming to leverage its 3 billion-strong user base to gain an edge in the AI search race.
The proposed deal comes amid growing antitrust pressures on Google, including a U.S. court ruling that it unlawfully monopolised internet search. Regulators have hinted that selling Chrome could be a potential remedy, and Perplexity is positioning itself as a ready buyer.
According to people familiar with the matter, several funds have offered to fully finance the transaction. As part of its proposal, Perplexity pledges to keep Chrome’s underlying open-source Chromium code, invest $3 billion over two years into its development, and maintain Google as the default search engine.
Industry analysts, however, remain sceptical, viewing the bid more as a publicity-driven manoeuvre than a serious acquisition attempt. Chrome remains a cornerstone of Google’s AI and search strategy, making a sale highly unlikely. Nonetheless, the bold move has sparked discussion over the future of browsers in the AI era.
