Perplexity AI Inside Perplexity Bids To Buy Google!: What this means for the future of search
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Aug 18, 2025 In a shocking twist, an AI startup has proposed a $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome, stirring the tech community. The discussion uncovers the motivations behind this bold move, especially in light of Google's antitrust issues. Listeners will learn how this acquisition could shift the digital economy and the potential regulatory fallout it may entail. The implications for the future of search and AI are explored, raising questions about what’s at stake for consumers and the tech industry.
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Strategic Reason Behind The Bid
- Perplexity's $34.5B unsolicited cash offer for Chrome would rapidly expand its search reach by owning the dominant browser distribution channel.
- The move pairs logically with Perplexity's AI-first Comet browser and aims to integrate AI search into mainstream browsing.
Open Source And Big Investment Promise
- The offer included commitments to keep Chromium open source and invest $3B into the project, making the bid appeal to the broader browser ecosystem.
- That preserves extension compatibility and reassures stakeholders like Brave and Microsoft Edge that rely on Chromium.
Antitrust Creates Acquisition Window
- The DOJ antitrust actions against Google have created a realistic path for forced divestiture of Chrome, attracting potential buyers.
- Multiple firms including OpenAI showed interest, turning Chrome into a high-stakes asset if courts order separation.