OpenAI Wants to Buy Chrome – Revolution or Catastrophe?

Chrome is the browser I wouldn’t even want on my computer, it’s so terrible compared to Firefox. So imagine my surprise when I learned that OpenAI wanted to acquire this piece of junk! And not just in any way!! They only want it if the American justice system forces Google to part with it following that famous antitrust trial that declared Google to have an illegal monopoly on web search.

(Okay, yes, I’m laying it on a bit thick…)

But still, seeing the company behind ChatGPT aiming for a browser used by 4 billion people and holding 67% of the market deserves a closer look. Especially when their big boss, Nick Turley, declares in court without hesitation: “Yes, we would be interested in acquiring Chrome, just like many other pieces of Google.”

Basically, this story began when a U.S. federal judge, Amit Mehta, ruled that Google had an illegal monopoly on online search. The Department of Justice has recently called for serious measures, including the forced sale of Chrome, and the judge is expected to make a final decision by August 2025.

In the meantime, OpenAI isn’t sitting idle as they have already recruited former Chrome developers (Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher) and are even considering creating their own browser based on Chromium. Their strategy is clear: they want a central place in our daily browsing.

But what would “Chrome by OpenAI” actually look like?

According to Turley, it would be a “truly incredible experience” (no surprise there…lol) with an “AI-first” approach. Essentially, a browser that actually understands what you’re looking for instead of throwing 15 sponsored results at you.

For example, you request a good, cheap Japanese restaurant in your neighborhood, and instead of a list of links, you get a direct answer with menus, reviews, photos, and even dish suggestions based on your previously recorded tastes. The AI could also automate a lot of tedious tasks like filling out forms, summarizing long articles from my site, instantly translating pages, or even interacting with websites on your behalf.

“ChatGPT, book me a flight to Barcelona,” and boom, it handles everything.

On the business side, OpenAI is currently struggling with the distribution of its services. They’ve managed to integrate into Apple’s iPhones, but on Android, it’s a disaster. Turley admits they’ve never been able to discuss concrete terms with Samsung, partly because Google is now paying the Korean manufacturer to pre-install its Gemini AI app. Thus, by acquiring Chrome, OpenAI would suddenly gain direct access to billions of users.

However, there’s a downside because replacing one giant with another is just changing masters. The data collection necessary to power these AIs raises serious questions about our privacy. How would OpenAI use our browsing data? What would their privacy policies be? Not to mention the future of the thousands of existing Chrome extensions??

There’s also a third option: to transform Chrome into an independent company.

But Google argues that its browser couldn’t survive on its own, which is doubtful when you consider that search placement contracts (which Google pays to Apple and others) are worth billions.

In summary, on one hand, integrating AI into our daily Internet use will make our lives easier and make us even more productive in serving the greater Capital, but on the other hand, concerning privacy and the survival of an open web for all, that’s a bit concerning.

If OpenAI did get its hands on Chrome, it would indeed be a significant revolution but also a substantial curse. While we wait for the judge’s decision in August, why not try the ChatGPT extension already available for Chrome (or Firefox!) and see how it goes? Or even better, try alternatives like Firefox, Brave, or Arc, just to avoid putting all your “algorithmic” eggs in one basket.