The Blubber

OpenAI would be interested in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if antitrust regulators succeed in forcing Alphabet (GOOGL.O) to divest the popular web browser as part of broader efforts to restore competition in online search, an OpenAI executive testified Tuesday during Google’s antitrust trial in Washington.

Nick Turley, head of product at ChatGPT, made the remark while testifying in the U.S. Department of Justice’s case, which aims to impose sweeping remedies on Google. A federal judge previously found that the company holds a monopoly in online search and associated advertising.

Although Google has not put Chrome up for sale, the company has stated it will appeal the ruling that determined it holds a monopoly.

A ‘Better Product’
Earlier in the day, Turley testified that Google had rejected a request from OpenAI to license its search technology for integration into ChatGPT. Turley said OpenAI had approached Google after encountering issues with its current search provider, though he did not name the company. ChatGPT currently uses Microsoft’s Bing search engine.

“We believe having multiple partners, and in particular access to Google’s API, would enable us to deliver a better product to users,” OpenAI told Google, according to an email presented in court.

OpenAI first reached out in July, and Google declined the request in August, citing concerns over enabling too many competitors, according to the same email.

“We have no partnership with Google today,” Turley confirmed.

Turley added that the DOJ’s proposal requiring Google to share search data with competitors would help OpenAI improve ChatGPT. Real-time and factual search capabilities are vital for ChatGPT to effectively answer user queries, he said. However, ChatGPT remains “years away” from independently handling 80% of search queries with its own technology, Turley noted.

Prosecutors expressed concern that Google’s dominance in search could give it an unfair edge in artificial intelligence, noting that AI tools might serve as another channel to funnel users back to Google Search.

Google, in its defense, has argued that the case isn’t about AI and that it faces strong competition from other tech giants like Meta Platforms (META.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O).

Exclusive Deals Under Scrutiny
In August, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had maintained its search monopoly through exclusive deals with companies such as Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), ensuring that Google Search was pre-installed as the default on new devices.

Internal documents revealed that Google had considered exclusive deals with Android manufacturers like Samsung—not only for its search app, but also for its Gemini AI app and Chrome browser.

However, instead of proceeding with additional exclusive agreements, Google relaxed the terms in its most recent deals with Samsung, Motorola, and wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, allowing those partners to offer rival search services, court documents showed.

Google has argued that such non-exclusive agreements should satisfy the court’s ruling. But the DOJ is pushing for stronger remedies, including a ban on Google’s practice of paying companies to pre-install its search app on devices.