Artificial intelligence firm OpenAI has announced interest in purchasing Google Chrome if forced to sell by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
OpenAI executive Nick Turley in a court hearing on Tuesday, disclosed that acquiring Chrome would allow OpenAI to offer an incredible experience and introduce users into what an AI-first browser looks like.
Turley had been called by the Justice Department to testify as part of a trial aimed at determining what business practices Google must modify after a judge found the company monopolized the online search market. The Justice Department has asked that Google be forced to divest Chrome.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 17 (June 9 – Sept 6, 2025) today for early bird discounts. Do annual for access to Blucera.com.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register to become a better CEO or Director with Tekedia CEO & Director Program.
Recall that OpenAI has reportedly considered working on a web browser to compete with Chrome. Last year November, the potential browser, which could incorporate OpenAI’s ChatGPT, is said to have been shown in prototype or design form to companies such as Conde Nast, Redfin, Eventbrite, and Priceline. The company went as far as hiring ex-Google developers Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher, who worked on the original Chrome project, several months ago.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has continued to intensify its antitrust case against Google, suggesting that the tech giant sell its Chrome browser to curb its monopolistic hold on online search. Justice Department lawyer David Dahlquist said that the company should also be forced to help rival search engines that it has unfairly kept out of competition.
“This is the time for the court to tell Google and all other monopolists who are out there listening, and they are listening, that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws,” Dahlquist said. Notably, Government lawyers have also made their case in opening statements, saying that Google should be forced to sell Chrome, its web browser, which pushes people to the Google search engine.
Google has countered the lawsuit, with the company lawyers stating that any remedies should only consider the company’s deals with companies such as Apple, Mozilla, and Samsung to make it the default search engine for smartphones and other devices. “Google won its place in the market fair and square,” said company attorney John Schmidtlein, according to NBC News.
According to the Justice Department, the Google search engine is used for nearly 90% of web searches, but the company disputes that number. Google has not offered Chrome for sale. However, if forced to sell Chrome due to the ongoing antitrust trial, the implications would be far-reaching for Google, the browser market, the tech industry, and internet users.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have raised concerns that Google’s search monopoly could give it advantages in AI, and that its AI products are another way to lead users to its search engine. Google has pointed to competition among companies offering generative AI products, such as Meta Platforms, Opens New Tab, and Microsoft.
Notably, the tech giant argues that the DOJ’s proposals, including divestiture of Chrome, exceed the scope of the case and could harm its competitiveness. A Bloomberg analyst estimates Chrome’s value at over $15 billion, underscoring the high stakes. Judge Mehta is expected to decide on remedies by August 2025.