The head of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Nick Turley, revealed in a Tuesday court hearing that the artificial intelligence company would be interested in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if a federal court orders its divestiture.
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“Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” Turley stated under oath, responding to a question about OpenAI’s potential interest in purchasing Chrome.
Turley’s testimony was part of a three-week trial initiated by the Justice Department to determine the necessary adjustments to Alphabet’s Google’s business practices following a judicial ruling last year that found the company guilty of monopolizing the search market. Judge Amit Mehta is expected to issue his decision on required modifications by August. A key remedy sought by the Justice Department is the forced separation of Chrome from Google.
Currently, OpenAI offers a ChatGPT extension for Chrome users. However, Turley argued that a more profound integration of Chrome with OpenAI’s operations would unlock the potential for a significantly enhanced user experience.
“You could offer a really incredible experience” with ChatGPT deeply embedded in Chrome, he explained, envisioning the ability to introduce users to a truly “AI-first experience.”
Turley underscored that a significant hurdle for OpenAI currently is distribution. While the company has successfully partnered with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into iPhones, similar deals with Android smartphone manufacturers have proven elusive.
Earlier in the trial, a Google executive admitted that the company began compensating Samsung in January for the pre-installation of its Gemini AI app on Samsung devices. Although the agreement is reportedly non-exclusive, Turley indicated that OpenAI’s attempts to negotiate with the South Korean company were largely unsuccessful due to Google’s superior financial leverage.
“It was not a lack of trying,” Turley emphasized. “We never got to a point where we could discuss concrete terms.”
Later in his testimony, Turley voiced “deep worry that we may be shut out” by dominant players like Google, highlighting their control over crucial access points for product discovery, such as browsers and app stores. “Real choice drives competition. Users should be able to pick,” he asserted.
Launched in November 2022, ChatGPT rapidly gained widespread popularity, becoming one of the fastest-growing consumer software products on record. In February, OpenAI announced a weekly active user base exceeding 400 million. While Turley confirmed that the company had surpassed its 2024 goals for weekly active users, he refrained from providing specific figures.
The ongoing trial pits Google against the Justice Department and numerous state attorney generals, all vying to influence Judge Mehta’s decision on remedies to curb Google’s alleged monopolization of the online search market. The Justice Department’s proposed solutions include the forced sale of Chrome, the mandatory licensing of search data to rivals, and the cessation of paid contracts for exclusive placement on apps and devices.
Google contends that the government’s proposals would ultimately harm consumers by degrading its products and would negatively impact US technological leadership. A court-ordered divestiture of Chrome would mark the first major breakup of a US tech company since the AT&T split in the 1980s.
