OpenAI has indicated that it may be interested in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser—if regulators compel Google’s parent company, Alphabet, to divest it. This revelation came during a major antitrust trial in Washington, where the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking sweeping actions to increase competition in the online search industry.
Nick Turley, Head of Product at ChatGPT, made the comment while testifying on behalf of the government. The trial, which stems from allegations that Google used its dominance to stifle competition, has also spotlighted the ongoing AI rivalry among major tech firms.
Last year, the presiding judge ruled that Google holds a monopoly in online search and advertising. Although Google has not made Chrome available for purchase, it intends to challenge the monopoly ruling through an appeal.
During his testimony, Turley disclosed that OpenAI had previously reached out to Google, requesting access to its search technology to enhance ChatGPT’s capabilities. At the time, OpenAI was encountering difficulties with its existing search provider, though Turley didn’t identify the company—ChatGPT currently integrates Microsoft’s Bing for search results.
According to trial documents, OpenAI believed that access to Google’s API would allow ChatGPT to deliver more accurate and timely information. However, Google turned down the proposal, citing competitive risks.
Turley also testified that OpenAI sees value in having multiple partnerships, and that collaborating with Google could have improved its services. He acknowledged that ChatGPT remains several years away from independently handling the majority of user queries through its own search technology.
The DOJ has proposed a remedy that would require Google to share search data with competitors—something Turley said would significantly aid OpenAI’s development efforts.
In addition to the potential divestiture of Chrome, the trial has revealed internal documents showing Google considered exclusive deals with phone makers for not only its search engine but also for its AI product, Gemini, and Chrome itself. However, recent agreements with manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola, as well as with carriers AT&T and Verizon, have reportedly become more flexible, allowing room for competing apps.
Despite these changes, the DOJ is pushing for more stringent measures, including banning Google from offering financial incentives in exchange for default placements on devices. Google’s own executives, meanwhile, maintain that their contracts do not block the inclusion of rival technologies.
This case is being closely watched for its potential to reshape the dynamics of the search and AI markets—and possibly, the ownership of one of the world’s most widely used web browsers.
