OpenAI Hints At Interest In Expanding Into Browser Market By Acquiring Chrome

OpenAI would consider purchasing Google’s Chrome browser if antitrust regulators succeed in forcing Alphabet to sell it as part of efforts to restore competition in the online search market, according to testimony from OpenAI executive Nick Turley. Speaking at Google’s ongoing antitrust trial in Washington, Turley—who leads product at ChatGPT—made the comment during proceedings brought by the U.S.

Department of Justice. The trial aims to impose significant measures on Google, following a prior ruling that the company holds a monopoly in online search and related advertising. Notably, Google has no plans to sell Chrome and intends to appeal the monopoly ruling.



OpenAI would buy Google's Chrome, exec testifies at trial https://t.co/0wzSaOPpIl pic.twitter.

com/ZBxaNdmx2O — Reuters (@Reuters) April 22, 2025 During his testimony, OpenAI's Nick Turley revealed that the company had attempted to partner with Google to integrate its search technology into ChatGPT. OpenAI reached out to Google in July after encountering issues with its own search provider (which Turley did not identify), explaining that using Google's API alongside other partners could improve ChatGPT’s product. ALSO SEE: Instagram Launches Standalone ‘Edits’ App For Video Editing: How It Works However, Google declined the request in August, citing concerns over too many competitors being involved.

Turley emphasized that OpenAI has no partnership with Google and stated that Google's monopoly in search could hinder ChatGPT's growth, as access to diverse search data would enhance the AI's ability to provide accurate and up-to-date answers. Turley further explained that search plays a crucial role in providing factual responses to user queries within ChatGPT. However, he noted that the system is still years away from being able to use its own search technology for a majority of queries.

The U.S. Department of Justice's proposal to require Google to share search data with competitors, in an effort to restore competition, could accelerate ChatGPT's development.

In response, Google argued that the case isn’t about AI, asserting that it faces significant competition from companies like Meta and Microsoft, and that its dominance in search doesn't unfairly extend to AI. OpenAI would be interested in buying Google’s Chrome browser if a federal court orders it to be spun off https://t.co/byxFubYVzK — Bloomberg (@business) April 22, 2025 U.

S. District Judge Amit Mehta previously found that Google upheld its search monopoly through exclusive deals with companies like Samsung to make its search engine the default on new devices. While Google had considered expanding these exclusive deals to include its Chrome browser and Gemini AI app, it ultimately shifted course, loosening agreements with partners like Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, and Verizon to allow rival search and AI products.

Google argues these non-exclusive arrangements are a sufficient remedy, but the U.S. Department of Justice seeks stricter action, including banning payments for default placements.

Google maintains that its contracts do not block the inclusion of competing AI tools..