OpenAI has indicated it would consider acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if U.S. regulators succeed in forcing Alphabet Inc. to divest the product as part of ongoing antitrust proceedings. The disclosure was made during testimony in Washington by Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Head of Product for ChatGPT, during the high-profile case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The trial is focused on Google’s dominance in the online search and advertising sectors, where the DOJ argues the company has maintained a monopoly that stifles innovation and competition. Among the remedies proposed is the divestment of key assets—including Chrome—to help restore a more level playing field in digital markets.
During his testimony, Turley revealed that OpenAI had previously attempted to collaborate with Google, requesting access to its search API in July 2023. The request came after OpenAI’s existing search provider began to fall short of performance needs. “We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users,” OpenAI said in an email presented in court. Google declined the request a month later, citing competitive concerns.
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Following the failed partnership attempt, OpenAI turned to Microsoft’s Bing, which now powers search functionality within ChatGPT. Turley explained that access to broader search infrastructure is critical to ChatGPT’s ability to return timely, accurate answers. He also noted that the platform is still “years away” from handling the majority of search-like queries independently.
While Chrome has not been offered for sale, OpenAI’s interest signals how deeply intertwined browser infrastructure and artificial intelligence have become. Turley emphasized that ownership of a browser like Chrome could help OpenAI accelerate the development of its products, especially as real-time search becomes increasingly essential to AI capabilities.
The trial also brought attention to Google’s broader strategy of securing exclusive default agreements with major manufacturers such as Samsung—deals that helped cement Google’s dominance on mobile devices. Internal documents showed that Google had even considered similar exclusivity arrangements for its Gemini AI app and Chrome.
Though the company has shifted to more open arrangements in recent months, allowing rival apps more visibility on Android devices, the DOJ is calling for more aggressive measures. These include banning Google from paying partners to preinstall its search engine and pushing for asset divestitures like Chrome.
If the court mandates such a breakup, it could dramatically alter the digital landscape—and OpenAI, with its rapidly evolving ecosystem, appears poised to step into that opening.
