Perplexity AI Makes $34.5B Bid for Google’s Chrome in Bold AI Land Grab

Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, according to CNBC, citing sources familiar with the matter. The offer, which exceeds Perplexity’s current estimated valuation of $18 billion, underscores the company’s aggressive push into the core infrastructure of internet access amid a fierce battle for dominance in generative AI. Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search engine that delivers concise answers with source links, recently launched its own AI browser, Comet, signaling a strategic shift toward owning the user interface for AI-driven web interactions. The bid comes at a pivotal moment for Google, which recently lost a major antitrust case in the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit alleging that the company maintains an illegal monopoly in internet search. The court ruled that Google’s dominance in search is sustained by exclusive deals, including its default placement of Google Search in Chrome. As part of the proposed remedy, the DOJ has recommended that Google divest Chrome, arguing that removing the browser from Google’s control would level the playing field for rival search engines and foster competition. Perplexity’s offer is seen as a direct response to this regulatory pressure. By acquiring Chrome, the startup could gain instant access to hundreds of millions of users, positioning its AI search engine as the default gateway to the internet. This would give Perplexity a powerful advantage over rivals like OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft, all of whom are investing heavily in AI infrastructure and talent. The AI race is intensifying, with tech giants spending tens of billions annually on hardware and model development, while startups like Perplexity raise billions from venture capital, hedge funds, and tech partners to keep pace. Despite the bold move, Perplexity’s bid is not without challenges. The company’s current valuation is significantly lower than the $34.5 billion offer, meaning the deal would require substantial new funding. Perplexity claims several investors have already agreed to back the transaction, though details remain undisclosed. The company has previously explored major strategic moves, including a proposed merger with TikTok in January, though that effort has not materialized as TikTok faces potential U.S. ban unless ByteDance sells its stake. Google has not yet commented on the bid, but the company has strongly opposed the DOJ’s divestiture proposal, calling it “radically overbroad” and an “interventionist agenda.” Google argues that Chrome is essential to its ecosystem and that breaking it up would harm innovation and user experience. Perplexity’s ambition reflects a broader trend in the AI industry: the realization that controlling user access points—like search engines and web browsers—is just as critical as building advanced models. With its AI search engine and new browser, Comet, Perplexity is positioning itself not just as a search tool but as a full-stack AI platform. Acquiring Chrome would accelerate that vision by giving it immediate scale and control over how users access information online. While the bid is unlikely to be accepted without regulatory approval and significant negotiation, it marks a bold statement about the future of AI and digital infrastructure. Whether Perplexity can deliver on its vision remains to be seen, but the move has already placed the startup at the center of a high-stakes technological and legal battle that could reshape how we interact with the internet.