During hearings on Google’s dominance in online search, OpenAI product lead for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, stated the company would be willing to purchase the Chrome browser if the court mandates Google to sell it. Turley testified as a witness on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The DOJ is demanding that Google eliminate its monopoly in search and related advertising services. Last year, the court found that the company had violated competition principles. While Google has not yet offered Chrome for sale, discussions about a potential business split are already opening up new scenarios.
In court, Turley stated that OpenAI had attempted to negotiate access to Google’s search technology after issues with its current provider (identified during the hearing as Microsoft’s Bing). However, in August, Google declined the request, citing concerns over partnering with a competing company.
Search as a Key Component of ChatGPT
According to Turley, having multiple search partners, including Google, would help improve the product. Currently, ChatGPT is far from the goal of independently fulfilling up to 80% of user queries without external search. The DOJ’s proposal to mandate Google to share search data with competitors would accelerate ChatGPT’s development, he believes.
Google Alters Contract Policies
Court documents show that Google previously signed exclusive agreements with device manufacturers such as Samsung and Motorola, as well as telecom operators AT&T and Verizon. These contracts ensured that Google Search and the Chrome browser were pre-installed by default. However, the latest contracts no longer include such requirements, now allowing partners to install alternative search engines and AI applications.
The Question of AI Product Control
Testimonies and emails reveal that Google had considered tightening control not only over search but also over its AI app Gemini and the Chrome browser. This may become one of the DOJ’s pressure points in the lawsuit, which calls for stricter measures, including a ban on financial incentives for pre-installing Google apps.
Previously, media reported that Elon Musk attempted to take control of OpenAI by offering $97.4 billion for its nonprofit structure. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rejected the proposal and countered by suggesting that Musk sell Twitter instead.
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