Google On Trial: DOJ Warns Against AI-Powered Monopoly In Historic Antitrust Case

As the landmark antitrust trial against Google begins, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is turning up the heat, warning that the tech giant could exploit artificial intelligence to cement its dominance in online search. As reported by Reuters, prosecutors are calling for sweeping remedies — including a forced sale of Google Chrome and the end of exclusive default search agreements — to break what they say is an illegal monopoly.The case, which could reshape how billions access information online, marks one of the biggest tech antitrust showdowns since the breakup of Standard Oil and AT&T.DOJ Warns of AI-Driven Power GrabIn his opening remarks, DOJ attorney David Dahlquist said it’s time to hold tech giants accountable. "Now is the time 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," he said.Prosecutors argue that Google’s dominance in search not only sustains its control over the market but also feeds its artificial intelligence tools — and vice versa. With AI increasingly integrated into online services, the DOJ says ignoring this new frontier would render any antitrust remedy toothless."This court's remedy should be forward-looking and not ignore what is on the horizon," Dahlquist added.Evidence presented at the trial included a deal between Google and Samsung, where Google agreed to pay the smartphone maker monthly to install its Gemini AI app on devices. Though the financial details remain under wraps, the DOJ called the amount “enormous.”Google Pushes Back: ‘A Wishlist for Competitors’Google, for its part, slammed the DOJ's proposed solutions. In court, Google’s lead attorney John Schmidtlein dismissed the government's demands as "a wishlist for competitors looking to get the benefits of Google's extraordinary innovations."He argued that rivals like OpenAI — whose product head Nick Turley is expected to testify — are thriving without government intervention. "AI competitors would like handouts as well, even though they are competing just fine," Schmidtlein said.The company also contends that its AI products fall outside the scope of the current case, which focuses on search dominance. In a blog post, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland warned that the DOJ’s approach "would hold back American innovation at a critical juncture."Remedies Could Reshape the Mobile LandscapeBeyond Chrome, the DOJ’s wishlist includes ending Google’s exclusive agreements with device makers like Apple that make Google the default search engine. The government also wants Google to license its search results to other firms and, if necessary, spin off Android.Such measures, Google argues, could destabilise the tech ecosystem. The company warned that cutting payments to browser developers like Mozilla or telecom giants like Verizon could make smartphones more expensive and threaten the business models of smaller players.Google plans to call witnesses from Mozilla, Verizon, and Apple — which had previously tried to intervene in the case — to support its defence.A Rare Case of Bipartisan UnityInterestingly, the case has united both Republican and Democratic administrations. Originally filed during Donald Trump’s presidency and pursued under President Joe Biden, the lawsuit is being presented as a rare example of nonpartisan enforcement."This case proposes nonpartisan remedies and has the full support of the DOJ both past and present," Dahlquist noted, while Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater and other top antitrust officials watched from the courtroom.The trial comes on the heels of another DOJ victory against Google last week over advertising practices. Meanwhile, other Big Tech firms like Meta are also facing legal scrutiny, with trials over Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions looming.As proceedings continue, the battle over how AI could redefine — or entrench — online power is just beginning.

As the landmark antitrust trial against Google begins, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is turning up the heat, warning that the tech giant could exploit artificial intelligence to cement its dominance in online search. As reported by Reuters, prosecutors are calling for sweeping remedies — including a forced sale of Google Chrome and the end of exclusive default search agreements — to break what they say is an illegal monopoly. The case, which could reshape how billions access information online, marks one of the biggest tech antitrust showdowns since the breakup of Standard Oil and AT&T.

DOJ Warns of AI-Driven Power Grab In his opening remarks, DOJ attorney David Dahlquist said it’s time to hold tech giants accountable. "Now is the time 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," he said. Prosecutors argue that Google’s dominance in search not only sustains its control over the market but also feeds its artificial intelligence tools — and vice versa.

With AI increasingly integrated into online services, the DOJ says ignoring this new frontier would render any antitrust remedy toothless. "This court's remedy should be forward-looking and not ignore what is on the horizon," Dahlquist added. Evidence presented at the trial included a deal between Google and Samsung, where Google agreed to pay the smartphone maker monthly to install its Gemini AI app on devices.

Though the financial details remain under wraps, the DOJ called the amount “enormous.” Google Pushes Back: ‘A Wishlist for Competitors’ Google, for its part, slammed the DOJ's proposed solutions. In court, Google’s lead attorney John Schmidtlein dismissed the government's demands as "a wishlist for competitors looking to get the benefits of Google's extraordinary innovations.

" He argued that rivals like OpenAI — whose product head Nick Turley is expected to testify — are thriving without government intervention. "AI competitors would like handouts as well, even though they are competing just fine," Schmidtlein said. The company also contends that its AI products fall outside the scope of the current case, which focuses on search dominance.

In a blog post, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland warned that the DOJ’s approach "would hold back American innovation at a critical juncture." Remedies Could Reshape the Mobile Landscape Beyond Chrome, the DOJ’s wishlist includes ending Google’s exclusive agreements with device makers like Apple that make Google the default search engine. The government also wants Google to license its search results to other firms and, if necessary, spin off Android.

Such measures, Google argues, could destabilise the tech ecosystem. The company warned that cutting payments to browser developers like Mozilla or telecom giants like Verizon could make smartphones more expensive and threaten the business models of smaller players. Google plans to call witnesses from Mozilla, Verizon, and Apple — which had previously tried to intervene in the case — to support its defence.

A Rare Case of Bipartisan Unity Interestingly, the case has united both Republican and Democratic administrations. Originally filed during Donald Trump’s presidency and pursued under President Joe Biden, the lawsuit is being presented as a rare example of nonpartisan enforcement. "This case proposes nonpartisan remedies and has the full support of the DOJ both past and present," Dahlquist noted, while Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater and other top antitrust officials watched from the courtroom.

The trial comes on the heels of another DOJ victory against Google last week over advertising practices. Meanwhile, other Big Tech firms like Meta are also facing legal scrutiny, with trials over Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions looming. As proceedings continue, the battle over how AI could redefine — or entrench — online power is just beginning.

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