In a move that has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI $34.5B bid for Google Chrome to acquire Google’s widely used Chrome browser, CNBC confirmed on Tuesday.
This bid — nearly double Perplexity’s most recent valuation of $18 billion in July — is being backed by several deep-pocketed investors eager to support the ambitious takeover.
Why This Matters
The bid comes amid a seismic shift in the technology and AI landscape. Perplexity, best known for its AI-powered search engine that delivers quick answers with linked sources, recently launched Comet, its own AI-driven browser. Industry analysts say acquiring Chrome could instantly catapult Perplexity into a dominant position in global web browsing.
Antitrust Pressure on Google
This surprise move is also directly tied to the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust ruling against Google. A federal judge determined last year that the tech giant held an illegal monopoly in internet search.
Google divest Chrome, describing it as a crucial gateway to the internet that unfairly strengthens Google’s search dominance.
Perplexity’s Bold Moves
This isn’t Perplexity’s first headline-grabbing swing. In January, the startup floated a proposal to merge with TikTok, whose U.S. operations have faced ongoing political uncertainty. That deal never materialized, but it signaled Perplexity’s appetite for aggressive expansion.
Industry insiders suggest Perplexity’s interest in Chrome reflects a strategic power play, blending its AI expertise with one of the most popular browsers in the world to reshape the search and browsing market.
AI Arms Race Intensifies
Perplexity’s potential acquisition of Chrome could disrupt the balance between established tech giants and fast-rising AI innovators.
What’s Next?
Google has not publicly responded to the offer, and it remains unclear whether regulators would approve such a deal. Still, if the acquisition goes through, it could mark one of the biggest browser shake-ups in internet history.
One thing is certain — the line between search, browsing, and AI is becoming increasingly blurred. And in this new era, bold plays like Perplexity’s may just define the future of the web.
Reference: CNBC, The Wall Street Journal
