A significant revelation emerged from Google's ongoing antitrust trial this week, as a top OpenAI executive expressed the company's interest in acquiring the Chrome browser should it become available. Nick Turley, identified as ChatGPT chief or head of product in various reports, testified in a Washington D.C. court hearing that OpenAI would indeed be interested in purchasing Chrome if antitrust regulators compel Google's parent company, Alphabet, to sell it. This statement occurred during the remedies phase of the trial, following a judge's ruling last year that Google holds an illegal monopoly over the online search market and related advertising.Turley elaborated on the strategic rationale behind this potential acquisition, suggesting it would empower OpenAI to "offer a really incredible experience" and effectively "introduce users into what an AI-first [browser] looks like." This ambition aligns with reports that OpenAI has previously explored developing its own web browser to challenge Chrome's dominance. Underscoring this interest, OpenAI notably hired former Google developers Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher, key figures in the original Chrome project, several months ago. Acquiring Chrome, the world's most popular browser, would provide OpenAI with a massive user base and a powerful platform to integrate and showcase its artificial intelligence capabilities directly into the web browsing experience.The context for Turley's testimony is crucial. He was called by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is actively seeking significant remedies to restore competition in the online search landscape following the monopoly finding. One of the most drastic measures proposed by the DOJ is forcing Google to divest its Chrome browser. Government attorneys argue that artificial intelligence advancements could further entrench Google's search dominance, making structural changes like selling Chrome necessary. The judge overseeing the case, Amit Mehta, is currently evaluating which business practices Google must alter and what remedies, potentially including divestiture, are appropriate.However, the path to such a sale is far from certain. Google has unequivocally stated that Chrome is not for sale and intends to appeal the initial ruling that found it guilty of monopolistic practices. The tech giant has also contested the scope of the remedies sought by the DOJ, arguing that forcing the sale of Chrome, or potentially even its Android operating system, goes beyond the original focus of the lawsuit, which centered on distribution agreements for its search tools. Interestingly, trial documents revealed Google had previously considered exclusive deals with partners like Samsung involving not just search but also its Gemini AI and Chrome, though recent agreements with device makers and carriers have reportedly become less restrictive, allowing rivals more access.OpenAI's expressed interest injects a new dynamic into the potential outcomes of Google's antitrust battle. While contingent on the DOJ succeeding in its push for divestiture and Google exhausting its appeals, OpenAI positioning itself as a potential buyer highlights the strategic value placed on browser platforms as gateways for AI integration. The ultimate fate of Chrome remains undecided, resting on Judge Mehta's final decision regarding remedies and the results of Google's planned appeal, but OpenAI has clearly signaled its readiness to step in should the opportunity arise, potentially reshaping the browser market and accelerating the push towards AI-driven web experiences.
