In a bold and unprecedented move, Perplexity AI has offered $34.5 billion in cash to acquire Google Chrome browser, signaling a potential shake-up in the global internet ecosystem. The offer comes at a time when Google faces intense antitrust scrutiny in the United States, with regulators pushing for structural changes that could include the divestiture of Chrome.
The $34.5 Billion Bid
According to The Wall Street Journal, Perplexity AI’s proposal involves an all-cash transaction, financed without issuing shares. Multiple investment funds have reportedly expressed interest in backing the acquisition in full, although their identities remain undisclosed.
The bid also includes commitments to:
- Maintain Chrome’s open-source Chromium code
- Invest $3 billion over the next two years
- Retain Google as the default search engine
Perplexity’s approach indicates a strategic intent to preserve Chrome’s existing user base while infusing it with AI-driven features.
Google’s Strategic Dilemma
Google, owned by Alphabet, has yet to publicly respond to the bid. The tech giant is currently appealing a US court ruling that found it guilty of holding an illegal monopoly in online search. The Department of Justice has suggested that forcing Google to divest Chrome could restore competition, with a federal judge expected to rule later this month.
Industry analysts believe Google will resist any forced sale, given Chrome’s critical role in its advertising, data analytics, and emerging AI-powered search initiatives. The browser is deeply integrated into Google’s strategy, including its new AI-generated search summaries designed to maintain search dominance.
Perplexity AI’s Ambitions
Founded just three years ago, Perplexity AI has rapidly gained traction in the artificial intelligence sector. Backed by major investors such as Nvidia and SoftBank, the company has raised around $1 billion and is currently valued at $14 billion. Its flagship AI browser, Comet, focuses on executing user tasks directly, but acquiring Chrome would give it immediate access to billions of users worldwide.
This acquisition could also help Perplexity compete directly with AI-driven search players such as OpenAI, Yahoo, and Apollo Global Management, all of which are exploring ways to merge AI with traditional web browsing.
Valuation Debate
The $34.5 billion offer has already sparked debate over Chrome’s true market value. DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg has previously estimated that Chrome could be worth at least $50 billion if regulators forced Google to sell—well above Perplexity’s current bid.
Whether the deal materializes or not, it highlights the growing intersection between AI and traditional internet infrastructure. With regulators watching closely, the outcome of this bid could set a precedent for the future of the browser market.