Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has announced an unsolicited all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google’s Chrome browser — a move that, if successful, would dramatically alter the competitive landscape in AI-driven search.
Led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity is no stranger to making attention-grabbing acquisition proposals. Earlier this year, the company pitched a merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations to address regulatory concerns over its Chinese ownership.
Chrome, with more than three billion users worldwide, is considered one of the most valuable gateways to online search. By owning it, Perplexity would gain a massive audience to fuel its AI search ambitions, especially as regulatory pressures mount against Google. The U.S. Justice Department has previously suggested Chrome could be divested as part of remedies in an antitrust case, though Google has consistently maintained it is not for sale and is appealing a ruling against its search business.
Funding for the proposed deal remains unclear. Perplexity has raised around $1 billion in venture funding to date, with backers including Nvidia and SoftBank, and is currently valued at $14 billion. However, sources indicate that multiple investment funds have expressed willingness to finance the acquisition in full.
The company already operates its own AI browser, Comet, which can automate certain user tasks. Acquiring Chrome would provide the scale to compete with major players like OpenAI, which is also reportedly exploring a browser offering.
Perplexity’s proposal outlines a commitment to:
- Keep Chromium, Chrome’s underlying codebase, open source
- Invest $3 billion over two years into browser development
- Maintain Chrome’s default search engine
Despite the ambitious pitch, analysts believe Google is unlikely to agree to a sale, especially given Chrome’s strategic importance to its AI integration plans, such as AI-generated search summaries. Industry estimates suggest Chrome could command a valuation of $50 billion or more if Google were ever compelled to sell.
Alongside Perplexity, other potential suitors said to have shown interest in Chrome include OpenAI, Yahoo, and Apollo Global Management.
A ruling on remedies in Google’s antitrust case is expected later this month — a decision that could significantly impact the future of Chrome.
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IMAGE: Reuters
