Perplexity AI Makes $34.5 Billion Bid to Acquire Google Chrome

In one of the most unexpected moves in recent tech history, Perplexity AI has made a $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The bold proposal positions the AI company as a surprising challenger in the global browser market and comes amid mounting antitrust scrutiny of Google’s dominance.

A Bold Play in the Browser Wars

Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser, with over 60% market share. By making a multi-billion-dollar bid for the product, Perplexity AI is signaling its intent to disrupt not just the AI space but the broader internet ecosystem.

If successful, the acquisition could give Perplexity AI direct control over a platform used by billions of people daily, creating a unique opportunity to integrate advanced AI features directly into the browsing experience.

The Antitrust Angle

Google has faced increasing regulatory pressure in the United States, Europe, and other regions over its market dominance. Some experts view Perplexity AI’s bid as a potential antitrust remedy, allowing regulators to consider breaking apart parts of Google’s empire.

While it remains unclear whether Google would ever agree to sell Chrome, the offer adds a new twist to the ongoing debates around big tech monopolies and competition.

Why Perplexity AI Wants Chrome

Perplexity AI is best known for its conversational search platform, which combines natural language processing with real-time web data. Owning Chrome could enable the company to:

• Integrate AI-powered search directly into the browser interface
• Collect richer context on user queries to deliver more personalized results
• Compete head-to-head with Google Search by controlling the gateway to the internet
• Build a more privacy-focused browsing experience to differentiate from competitors

Industry Reaction and Next Steps

Industry analysts are calling the move “ambitious” and “highly unconventional,” noting that a $34.5 billion acquisition is rare for a company outside the traditional tech giant tier. Investors are closely watching both Google’s response and the reaction from regulators, which could set new precedents for tech acquisitions.

Regardless of the outcome, Perplexity AI’s bid signals that the AI sector is no longer content to simply build tools on top of existing platforms — it wants to own the platforms themselves.