Perplexity AI, a rising artificial intelligence start-up backed by Jeff Bezos and Nvidia, has made a surprise $34.5 billion takeover bid for Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser with over three billion users.
The three-year-old company, led by former Google and OpenAI executive Aravind Srinivas, claims the move represents a commitment to “the open web, user choice, and continuity.” However, many industry experts dismissed the offer as a publicity stunt, noting Chrome’s true value could be more than ten times higher and pointing out that Perplexity has not revealed how it plans to finance the deal.
Google, currently facing multiple antitrust challenges in the US, has not confirmed whether Chrome is even up for sale. The proposed takeover would keep Google as Chrome’s default search engine, while maintaining support for Chromium.
This bold move follows Perplexity’s earlier attempt to acquire TikTok’s US operations. The firm has also faced controversy, including legal action from the BBC over alleged copyright violations
