Startup Targets Google’s Flagship Browser
Artificial intelligence company Perplexity AI has stunned the tech industry with an unsolicited $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The bid, confirmed by CNBC, significantly exceeds Perplexity’s own market valuation but is reportedly backed by a coalition of investors willing to finance the ambitious move.
Perplexity, valued at $18 billion in July following an earlier $14 billion assessment, has been steadily expanding its AI-driven product line. The company’s flagship search engine delivers concise answers with direct links to sources, and last month it entered the browser market with the launch of Comet.
Antitrust Ruling Creates Opening
The timing of the offer coincides with mounting regulatory pressure on Google. The U.S. Department of Justice has proposed that Google divest Chrome after a court ruled the tech giant maintained an unlawful monopoly in internet search. Regulators argue that separating Chrome would create a more level playing field for competitors, describing the browser as a critical access point for billions of users worldwide.
Google has strongly opposed the proposal, calling it “wildly overbroad” and accusing the DOJ of pursuing an interventionist agenda. The company has yet to outline how it will respond to the antitrust ruling or whether it will contest the divestiture in court.
AI Race and Strategic Ambition
Perplexity’s bid comes amid an intense race for dominance in generative AI. Tech giants including Meta and OpenAI are investing heavily in infrastructure, while offering lucrative packages to attract top engineering talent. For Perplexity, acquiring Chrome could provide unparalleled user reach and a direct pipeline for integrating its AI capabilities into one of the most widely used browsers in the world.
The startup reportedly turned down acquisition interest from Meta earlier this year, signaling its preference for aggressive expansion over being absorbed by a larger rival. If successful, the Chrome acquisition would mark one of the largest deals in tech history involving an AI startup.
Regulatory and Market Uncertainty
Analysts remain cautious about the bid’s prospects, given the complexity of antitrust remedies and the scale of financing required. Chrome, launched by Google in 2008, has long been a cornerstone of the company’s advertising business, providing valuable user data for targeted marketing. Divesting such an asset would be a major strategic shift for Google and could reshape the competitive landscape for web browsers.
Whether Perplexity’s proposal is a genuine acquisition attempt or a high-profile strategic play, the move underscores the increasing intersection of AI innovation, regulatory action, and Big Tech market power.
