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In a bold and unexpected move, the artificial intelligence Perplexity AI presented, this Tuesday (12), a proposal of around R$ 185 billion (US$ 34.5 billion) to acquire Google Chrome, the most widely used browser in the world.
The offer, revealed by the Wall Street Journal, was not requested by Google and nearly doubles Perplexity’s own market valuation, currently estimated at US$ 18 billion. If accepted, the deal could reshape the competition for leadership in search and online navigation technologies.
Challenging Moment For Google Chrome
The proposal comes at a tumultuous time for Google Chrome. In 2024, the company lost an antitrust case in the United States and may be forced to sell the browser by court order.
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The big tech company has already declared opposition to the measure, but has not presented an official plan on how it intends to respond to the decision.
Experts point out that, although regulatory pressure is real, the sale of Chrome is unlikely. This is because the browser plays a central role in integrating Google‘s artificial intelligence features, such as automatic search summaries and new formats of user interaction.
Objective: Gain Ground in the AI Race
For Perplexity AI, acquiring Google Chrome would mean accessing a base of billions of active users, opening space to compete directly with the largest players in technology.
The startup sees the browser as a way to broaden the reach of its chatbots, which have been increasingly used as online research tools.
In a statement sent to Reuters, company representatives stated that the integration would preserve “user choice and reduce future competition concerns,” highlighting that the measure could also benefit the global browser market.
Unlikely, yet Strategic Negotiation
So far, Google has not responded to requests for comment on the proposal. Analysts consulted by Reuters suggest that, despite the legal and image difficulties faced by Chrome, the sale is unlikely.
The main obstacle is strategic: the browser is a key piece in Google‘s AI ecosystem, functioning as a gateway to advanced features and essential data collection for improving its tools.
Meanwhile, Perplexity AI continues to seek prominence in the market. With the global race for leadership in artificial intelligence becoming increasingly fierce, the purchase proposal for Google Chrome may be seen more as a bold marketing move than as a truly viable transaction.
