OpenAI Says It Would Buy Chrome if Google Is Forced to Sell

After a court ruled Google was operating as a search monopoly, the U.S. Department of Justice is now pushing for sweeping remedies—court-ordered actions meant to restore fair competition. One potential outcome has stirred particular speculation: the forced sale of Chrome. And OpenAI, known for ChatGPT, says it would be ready to buy.

During the trial's second day, OpenAI’s Head of Product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, testified that the company would be interested in acquiring Chrome if it were put up for sale. “Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” Turley stated when asked directly if OpenAI would pursue Chrome.

DOJ Targets Chrome as Core to Google’s Market Power

Prosecutors argue that Chrome—used by over 4 billion people and controlling 67% of the browser market—is central to Google's dominance. The DOJ contends that forcing Google to sell Chrome would help restore competition and reduce its grip on online ecosystems.

Judge Amit Mehta has expressed doubt about the feasibility of this remedy, but if Chrome must be divested, the question of who could (or should) own it becomes pressing.

OpenAI’s Strategic Interest: AI + Browser

OpenAI’s potential bid isn’t out of left field. The company has already been exploring the idea of building its own browser based on Chromium, the same open-source foundation behind Chrome. Notably, OpenAI recently hired two key former engineers who helped launch Chrome—Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher—adding further weight to its ambitions.

While OpenAI has a strong partnership with Microsoft, Turley testified that Bing’s search data hasn’t been sufficient for their needs. In an email revealed at trial, OpenAI told Google that access to its search API would “enable us to provide a better product to users.” Google reportedly rejected the idea, fearing it would erode its competitive edge. Turley suggested that requiring Google to license its search data could help level the playing field and revive competition.

A Future of “AI-First” Browsing?

Should OpenAI acquire Chrome, it would likely integrate ChatGPT deeply into the browser, creating what Turley described as an “AI-first” user experience. This could mean AI tools embedded throughout the browser and the potential use of Chrome's massive user base and data stream to train advanced agentic AI models capable of performing browser tasks on behalf of users.

While speculation centers on who might buy Chrome, little attention has been given to spinning it off into an independent entity. Google maintains Chrome can’t operate on its own—a claim the DOJ disputes, citing the company’s lucrative ad search placement deals as proof of Chrome’s market power.

If Google is forced to sell and OpenAI has the means, the world may soon see a reimagined web experience powered by AI at its core.

What This Means

OpenAI's potential bid for Chrome represents more than corporate expansion—it signals a bold step toward reshaping how people interact with the web. If successful, it could accelerate the merging of browsing and generative AI, where tools like ChatGPT become native to the internet itself. But the implications for privacy, competition, and user autonomy could be profound.

The battle for Chrome isn’t just about market share—it’s about who will define the future rules of digital engagement.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.