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

In a surprising twist during the ongoing antitrust trial against Google, OpenAI’s Head of Product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, testified that the company would be interested in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser — if regulators compel Google to divest it.

The comments came during a high-profile Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust trial in Washington, D.C., where the U.S. government is seeking to break up Google’s dominance in search and advertising. The DOJ’s proposed remedies include forcing Google to spin off its popular Chrome browser as a way to restore fair competition.

“We believe having access to Chrome could enhance our product experience significantly,” Turley said while testifying as a government witness.

The courtroom revelations offered a rare inside look into the intensifying competition between OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Turley testified that OpenAI had previously reached out to Google, requesting access to its search technology for integration into ChatGPT.

The goal? To improve ChatGPT’s real-time factual responses, particularly for queries requiring up-to-date web results. According to internal emails shown during the trial, OpenAI wrote:

“Having access to Google’s API would enable us to provide a better product to users.”

Google declined, stating that allowing OpenAI access would empower a direct competitor. Currently, ChatGPT uses Microsoft’s Bing for its search functionality — a relationship that Turley described as limited and problematic.

“We have no partnership with Google today,” he confirmed under oath.

Why Chrome? And What’s at Stake?

Google Chrome controls over 60% of the global browser market, making it a powerful distribution channel not just for search — but increasingly, AI-driven services.

If the DOJ is successful in forcing Google to spin off Chrome, it would open the door for companies like OpenAI to compete more directly in the browser space — a major access point for users on both desktop and mobile.

The DOJ’s case, led by Judge Amit Mehta, argues that Google has maintained its search monopoly through exclusive deals with phone makers like Samsung and carriers like Verizon. These deals made Google the default engine on new Android devices, locking out competitors.

Turley noted that search remains a critical piece of OpenAI’s roadmap. While ChatGPT has made strides in conversational AI, it still relies on external sources to deliver accurate, real-time information.

He admitted that OpenAI is years away from being able to answer 80% of queries with its own internal search engine — a goal that, if reached, could reduce its reliance on partners like Microsoft or Google entirely.

“The DOJ’s proposal to make Google share search data would accelerate our efforts significantly,” Turley said.

Google has already announced plans to appeal the antitrust ruling, stating that Chrome is not for sale. However, recent court documents revealed that Google had internally considered offering exclusive deals involving Chrome and its Gemini AI app, raising concerns about bundling dominance across platforms.

In a strategic pivot, Google has now signed non-exclusive agreements with manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola, and carriers like AT&T and Verizon — allowing them to preload other search engines and AI tools.

Meanwhile, the DOJ wants the court to go further, banning Google from paying to be the default option altogether.

OpenAI’s interest in Chrome isn’t just about search — it’s about distribution control. Owning a browser like Chrome would give the company direct access to billions of users globally, bypassing Microsoft and Google’s control over user-facing platforms.

Whether or not the court forces a breakup, the trial highlights a critical question: Is the future of AI innovation being stifled by Big Tech’s control over infrastructure?

If the DOJ wins and Chrome is spun off, OpenAI’s bold declaration could mark the beginning of a new era in AI accessibility and competition.