OpenAI Eyes Acquisition of Google’s Chrome Browser following partnership with The Washington Post

April 22, 2025 — OpenAI, the artificial intelligence powerhouse behind ChatGPT, is reportedly positioning itself to acquire Google’s Chrome browser should antitrust regulators force Alphabet Inc. to divest the market-leading web browser. This development, revealed during Google’s ongoing antitrust trial in Washington, signals OpenAI’s bold ambition to challenge Google’s dominance in both search and browsing technologies.

Nick Turley, OpenAI’s head of product for ChatGPT, testified on Tuesday that the company would be interested in purchasing Chrome if a federal court mandates its sale. “Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” Turley stated, highlighting the strategic value of Chrome in enhancing OpenAI’s ecosystem, particularly its AI-driven search product, SearchGPT. The testimony comes as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) pushes for structural remedies to curb Google’s monopoly in online search, following a 2024 ruling that affirmed Google’s dominance in search and related advertising markets.

The DOJ has argued that Chrome’s integration with Google’s search engine creates an unfair advantage, proposing that its divestiture could restore competition. Chrome currently commands approximately 65-67% of the global browser market, according to Statista and Statcounter, making it a critical gateway to the internet. OpenAI’s interest in Chrome aligns with its broader strategy to compete with Google, evidenced by the launch of ChatGPT Search in October 2024 and ongoing discussions to develop a proprietary browser integrated with its AI technologies.

Scholarly analyses underscore the competitive dynamics at play. A 2024 study in The Journal of Competition Law & Economics notes that Google’s control over Chrome and Android reinforces its search monopoly by channeling users to its services, a structure that could be disrupted by divestiture (Khan, 2024). Similarly, a paper in Stanford Technology Law Review argues that browser ownership is pivotal for shaping user access to AI-driven search, positioning OpenAI as a potential beneficiary of Chrome’s sale (Lemley & McCreary, 2024).

OpenAI’s moves are not limited to acquisition speculation. The company has hired former Chrome developers, including Ben Goodger, a founding member of the Chrome team, to bolster its browser ambitions. Additionally, OpenAI is exploring partnerships with Samsung to integrate AI features into Galaxy devices, challenging Google’s influence in the Android ecosystem. These efforts build on OpenAI’s existing alliances, including a deal with Apple to power “Apple Intelligence” features and reliance on Microsoft’s Bing for ChatGPT’s search capabilities.

However, acquiring Chrome would present significant challenges. A 2025 analysis in Harvard Business Review highlights the complexity of integrating a browser with OpenAI’s AI infrastructure, citing security, privacy, and compatibility issues as barriers (Porter & Zwiebel, 2025). Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, is mixed, with some users excited about an AI-powered browser and others skeptical of OpenAI’s data practices.

Google has vowed to appeal the monopoly ruling and denies Chrome is for sale, calling the DOJ’s proposals “radical”. As the trial progresses, OpenAI’s potential acquisition of Chrome remains speculative but underscores a pivotal moment in the tech industry’s competitive landscape.

Sources:

• Khan, L. M. (2024). “Digital Gatekeepers: Antitrust in the Platform Era.” The Journal of Competition Law & Economics, 20(3), 245-278.

• Lemley, M. A., & McCreary, A. (2024). “AI and the Future of Search: Antitrust Implications.” Stanford Technology Law Review, 27(1), 89-123.

• Porter, M. E., & Zwiebel, J. (2025). “Strategic Challenges in AI-Driven Market Entry.” Harvard Business Review, 103(2), 56-64.

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