OpenAI says it would be interested in buying Google’s Chrome browser if a court forces Google to sell it. The company’s ChatGPT chief, Nick Turley, made the comment during a court hearing on Tuesday.
“Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” Turley said in response to a question about whether OpenAI would bid for Chrome if it became available, according to Bloomberg.
The statement came during a trial in Washington, D.C., where a federal judge is deciding what remedies Google should face after being found guilty of monopolizing the online search market. The Justice Department is asking that Google be forced to sell off Chrome, its dominant web browser.
Turley said owning Chrome would give OpenAI a better way to introduce people to AI-powered features. Right now, ChatGPT has a browser extension in Chrome, but deeper integration could lead to what Turley called a “really incredible experience.” He said it would help solve one of OpenAI’s biggest challenges: distribution.
OpenAI has made some headway in that area—it struck a deal with Apple to bring ChatGPT to iPhones. But Turley said talks with Android phone makers haven’t gone anywhere, partly because of Google’s deals with companies like Samsung.
According to Turley, Google started paying Samsung in January to preload its Gemini AI app on phones. While that deal isn’t exclusive, he said OpenAI couldn’t compete because of how much more Google is willing to spend. “It was not a lack of trying,” Turley said.
The court’s final decision could reshape the tech industry; Judge Amit Mehta is expected to rule by August. If Chrome is ordered to be sold, it would be the first court-ordered breakup of a major U.S. company since AT&T was split up in the 1980s.
Turley also said ChatGPT has over 400 million weekly active users and already beat its user goals for 2024.
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presumably any of the data harvesting, spyware, surveillance companies will want a piece.