Perplexity AI Shocks Tech World With $34.5B Bid for Chrome Browser Amid Antitrust Turmoil

Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has stunned the tech world by submitting an unsolicited, all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google Chrome—the browser used by over three billion people worldwide. The bid comes amid heightened U.S. antitrust scrutiny targeting Google’s dominance in search, and positions Perplexity as a potential buyer if Chrome divestiture becomes a court-ordered remedy.

Despite being valued at only around $18 billion (or aiming for $20 billion), Perplexity plans to back the purchase with funding from unnamed investors and pledges to:

Keep Chromium open-source

Retain Google as the default search engine

Invest $3 billion over two years

Maintain most of Chrome’s existing staff

While the offer is bold, analysts note it's likely a long shot given Chrome’s strategic significance to Google—it's the “front door” to the company’s services. Yet, the move cleverly boosts brand visibility for Perplexity and its AI-native browser, Comet.

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