In a stunning move that could reshape the tech landscape, artificial intelligence company Perplexity has launched an audacious $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The offer, which comes on the heels of Google’s recent antitrust defeat, represents a David versus Goliath scenario in the fiercely competitive world of AI and search technology.
Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search engine and chatbot, is punching well above its weight with this proposal. The $34.5 billion offer is nearly double the company’s own valuation of $18 billion, as reported in July. However, Perplexity claims it has secured backing from multiple investors to support the ambitious deal.
The timing of Perplexity’s bid is no coincidence. It follows a major legal setback for Google, which lost an antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The court ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in the internet search market. One potential remedy under consideration is forcing Google to sell off its Chrome browser, a move intended to level the playing field for search competitors.
Google has not yet outlined any plans to divest Chrome or alter its business model. The tech giant strongly disagreed with the court’s decision, describing it as part of a “radical interventionist agenda” and vowing to challenge the ruling.
For Perplexity, acquiring Chrome would be a game-changing coup in the intensifying AI arms race. While the startup lacks the vast resources of tech behemoths like Google, Meta, and OpenAI, owning the world’s most popular web browser could provide a significant advantage in developing and deploying AI models.
This isn’t the first time Perplexity has caught the eye of larger tech firms. Earlier this year, Meta reportedly approached the company about a potential acquisition, though no deal materialized.
Perplexity’s latest AI offering, an search engine called Comet, launched just last month. The acquisition of Chrome, if successful, could dramatically accelerate the company’s ambitions in the rapidly evolving field of AI-powered search.
As the tech world awaits Google’s response and the judge’s final ruling on remedies, Perplexity’s bold move highlights the high stakes and potential for disruption in the AI and search engine markets.
