OpenAI has shown interest in buying Google’s Chrome browser if a court orders the tech giant to sell it.
This was revealed during a high-profile trial where the US government is pushing for changes in Google’s business practices.
The trial is part of a three-week hearing focused on deciding what actions Google must take after being found guilty of holding a monopoly in the search market.
OpenAI has shown interest in buying Google’s Chrome browser if a court orders the tech giant to sell it. This was revealed during a high-profile trial where the US government is pushing for changes in Google’s business practices.
Nick Turley, OpenAI’s ChatGPT chief, said this in court on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg. When asked if OpenAI would try to purchase Chrome if it became available, Turley said, “Yes, we would, as would many other parties.”
The trial is part of a three-week hearing focused on deciding what actions Alphabet Inc’s Google must take after being found guilty of holding a monopoly in the search market. Judge Amit Mehta is expected to make a final decision by August. Among the changes suggested by the Justice Department is that Google should be forced to sell its Chrome browser.
Also read: Govt asks Google to remove this Chinese social media app from Play Store, here’s why
OpenAI’s ChatGPT currently has an extension in Chrome browser which users can download. But Turley said owning Chrome or having deeper access to it would help them improve the overall user experience. “You could offer a really incredible experience” if ChatGPT was integrated into Chrome, he said. We would “have the ability to introduce users into what an AI first experience looks like.”
Turley also mentioned that one of OpenAI’s biggest challenges right now is getting its product into more hands. While ChatGPT has been integrated into Apple’s iPhones, the company has struggled to make similar deals with Android phone makers.
In comparison, Google has been paying Samsung to pre-install its Gemini AI app on Samsung phones. Though the deal isn’t exclusive, Turley said OpenAI wasn’t able to make much progress in talks with Samsung because Google could offer more money. “It was not a lack of trying,” Turley said. “We never got to a point where we could discuss concrete terms.”
Also read: Google found guilty of ad monopoly abuse, may face ad business split
ChatGPT, which launched in November 2022, quickly became one of the fastest-growing software products ever. As of February this year, OpenAI said it has over 400 million weekly active users.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
