Perplexity AI vs. Google: $34.5B Browser Battle

Perplexity AI, the San Francisco-based AI startup, has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google Chrome from Alphabet.

If successful, the acquisition would hand Perplexity access to Chrome’s more than three billion global users, a massive audience that could accelerate its growth in the competitive AI search and browser market.

The deal, more than double the company’s last reported valuation of $18 billion, comes as U.S. regulators continue to pressure Google over alleged monopoly practices in search, with some officials suggesting Chrome’s divestiture as a remedy.

Perplexity, known for its AI-powered browser Comet, says it would keep Chrome’s code open-source and maintain its default search engine.

The potential takeover highlights the increasing importance of browsers as gateways for AI-driven search and user data, especially as platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity reshape how people access information.

While Alphabet has not expressed interest in selling Chrome, the bid underscores how smaller AI companies are attempting bold moves to challenge Big Tech dominance.