OpenAI interested in buying Chrome if Google sells it

Google Chrome, which comes pre-installed on millions of Galaxy phones and tablets, already has an interested buyer. If Google is forced to sell its web browser, ChatGPT maker OpenAI is interested in buying it. The AI firm then plans to turn it into an AI first browser.

During a hearing of Google's ongoing search monopoly case, ChatGPT head Nick Turley said OpenAI is interested in buying Chrome, according to a Bloomberg report. When asked if OpenAI would be interested in acquiring it, he said, “Yes, we would, as would many other parties.” So, it looks like at least one party is already interested to buy Chrome if Google is forced to sell it to reduce its monopolistic powers in the online search and ads businesses.

In a hypothetical situation where OpenAI owns Chrome, it Nick said the company could “introduce users into what an AI first experience looks like.” While ChatGPT can be accessed by any web browser, if OpenAI buys Chrome, there would be deeper integrations to turn it into an AI-first web browser.

If Google no longer owns Chrome, Samsung may not have to preload it on millions of Galaxy smartphones and tablets, and that will reduce the bloatware. During the trial, it was also revealed that Google pays “an enormous sum” to Samsung to pre-install the Gemini AI app on Galaxy devices.

Recently, it was proved in a US court that Google resorted to anti-competitive behavior to keep its monopoly in the online advertisement technology. Its illegal monopoly resulted in potentially harming publishers and users. Due to its control over ad servers and ad exchanges, it could block competitors and negatively impacted publishers.

Chrome isn't the only thing Google may have to divest from or sell. Some of the remedies that were discussed during the trial include prohibiting Google from offering money to third parties to let it stay as the preferred search engine, stopping it from prioritizing its search engine in its owned-and-operated platforms (like Gemini or YouTube), and let its rivals access Google's search results at a marginal cost and on an ongoing basis.

It will likely take months or years before Google takes any drastic step, such as selling Chrome, but if it does happen, it is good that Samsung already has its own web browser called Samsung Internet. No one can say exactly what Chrome will turn into after being sold, and that could affect millions of Galaxy users. So, having its own web browser is an advantage for Samsung.

Samsung Internet is among the best web browser on Android, and the company also tried bringing it to the desktop but stopped. In the future, it could bring Samsung Internet to more platforms.