OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has publicly expressed interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser should it become available for sale, a possibility that has emerged amidst Google’s ongoing antitrust legal battle. Alphabet’s Google was found by a U.S. District Judge to have monopolized the online search market and related advertising, leading the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to suggest that the company be compelled to divest Chrome.

During a court hearing, Nick Turley, a Chief at ChatGPT, testified that the acquisition of Chrome would enable OpenAI to deliver an exceptional user experience and introduce an “AI-first browser.” Turley was summoned by the Justice Department to testify in the trial, which aims to determine necessary modifications to Google’s business practices and implement far-reaching measures to restore competition in online search.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta’s finding last August highlighted that Google maintained its search monopoly through exclusive agreements with major smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics, ensuring its search engine was installed as the default on new devices. Court documents further revealed that Google had considered deals with Android phone makers that would grant exclusivity not only for its search app but also for its Gemini AI app and the Chrome browser.

In its defense, Google’s executive Peter Fitzgerald stated at the trials that the company had clarified in letters that its existing agreements did not prevent partners from installing other AI products on new devices. Furthermore, Google is reportedly working to relax its most recent deals with major carriers and manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, Verizon, and AT&T, allowing them to install rival search engines.

Despite Google’s efforts to demonstrate a competitive market, the DOJ is pushing for a ban on the lucrative payments Google makes to ensure its search app is installed by default. This high-stakes trial has also shed light on the burgeoning generative AI race, where technology giants and startups are aggressively developing AI applications to capture users.

Prosecutors raised concerns that Google’s entrenched search monopoly could provide it with an unfair advantage in the AI sector, suggesting that its AI products might serve as another pathway to steer users towards its search engine. Google, however, countered by pointing to the robust competition among companies offering generative AI products, such as Meta Platforms and Microsoft.

Interestingly, internal documents from last year showed Nick Turley emphasizing that ChatGPT was a leader in the consumer chatbot market and did not perceive Google as its primary competitor, a statement intended to motivate OpenAI employees regarding the benefits of distribution partnerships. However, Turley also disclosed that Google rejected OpenAI’s request to integrate its search technology into ChatGPT, especially after OpenAI encountered issues with its existing search provider in July 2024. ChatGPT currently leverages technology from Microsoft’s Bing search engine.

OpenAI communicated to Google via email, presented at trial, stating, “We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users.” Turley further noted that the DOJ’s push to make Google share the online search market would significantly accelerate efforts to enhance ChatGPT. He underscored the critical role of search in ChatGPT for delivering up-to-date and factual answers to user queries, acknowledging that ChatGPT is still “years away” from its goal of utilizing its own search technology to address 80% of queries. Reflecting its broader ambitions, OpenAI has reportedly explored developing its own web browser and has hired former Google developers Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher, who were instrumental in the original Chrome project.