Artificial intelligence start-up Perplexity AI has made an unsolicited $34.5bn (£25.6bn) takeover offer for Google Chrome, the world’s most popular browser with an estimated three billion users. The three-year-old firm, backed by Jeff Bezos and Nvidia, is led by a former Google and OpenAI employee.
Industry experts have cast doubt on the seriousness of the bid, noting it is well below Chrome’s true value and not yet funded. Technology investor Heath Ahrens called it a “stunt,” suggesting that only a significantly higher offer from a heavyweight like Elon Musk or Sam Altman could realistically secure Chrome. Tomasz Tunguz of Theory Ventures estimated the browser could be worth “ten times more” than Perplexity’s offer.
Perplexity says the acquisition would safeguard the open web, protect user choice, and ensure Chrome remains an independent platform committed to safety. The bid comes as Google faces two US antitrust cases and a looming federal court ruling that could force the breakup of its search business. Google has vowed to appeal any such decision, warning that spinning off Chrome would harm users and security.
Perplexity, valued at $18bn in July, has not explained how it would finance the deal. Analysts remain skeptical, viewing the move as a high-profile publicity push rather than a viable acquisition plan.
