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As U.S. antitrust scrutiny intensifies around Google, the future of one of its core products — the Chrome browser — could be in play. During testimony in the remedy phase of the Department of Justice’s ongoing antitrust case, OpenAI’s head of product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, confirmed that the AI firm would be interested in acquiring Chrome, should it be divested.
The exchange, reported by The Information, adds a new layer of complexity to discussions about potential remedies the DOJ might pursue following its successful ruling against Google for maintaining monopolies in search and digital advertising.
What’s at Stake with Chrome
Google Chrome remains the most widely used web browser globally, and its Chromium open-source framework underpins a range of other popular browsers including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave. However, if forced to split from Google’s advertising and mobile ecosystem, Chrome would lose some of its strategic integration advantages — but it would retain immense standalone value.
For companies like OpenAI, access to a major web interface could reshape how users engage with artificial intelligence tools. It could also open the door to broader data access, increased visibility for generative AI products, and new pathways to revenue.
A Strategic Fit for OpenAI
OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT and a growing player in the AI ecosystem, currently partners with Microsoft on a range of AI integrations. Despite its profile and reported billions in revenue, OpenAI has not yet turned a profit. Gaining control of a browser like Chrome could provide it with the platform needed to further embed its tools into daily digital life — positioning itself more competitively alongside Microsoft, Apple, and others.
Ownership of Chrome would also potentially give OpenAI access to massive volumes of user interaction data, which could be leveraged to train AI models — though such a move would face significant regulatory oversight, particularly in light of the concerns that triggered Google’s current legal challenges.
What Happens Next
For now, any discussion of Chrome changing hands remains hypothetical. Even if the DOJ recommends divestiture, legal appeals could delay any action for years. Moreover, any potential sale would likely require additional approval from regulators, both in the U.S. and internationally.
Still, the revelation that OpenAI is willing to step into such a role signals a growing ambition from the AI firm — and underscores how the current wave of antitrust action could reshape not just the competitive landscape in tech, but the structure of the internet itself.
