Google faces pressure: Perplexity AI launches multi-million dollar bid for Chrome

At the heart of the global technology ecosystem, where innovation merges with fierce competition, a piece of news broke the calm on Tuesday. Perplexity AI, one of the most talked-about startups in the world of artificial intelligence, submitted a written proposal that left more than one investor scratching their heads: $34.5 billion for the Google Chrome browser.

The most shocking thing wasn't just the figure—almost double the value of Perplexity itself—but the context: Google could be forced to sell Chrome due to an antitrust lawsuit that could mark a turning point in the history of the internet.

In the letter, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas asserted that the acquisition seeks to "place Chrome in the hands of an independent operator, focused on continuity, openness, and consumer protection." This statement is no coincidence: since last year, Google has been facing a court ruling that determined its online search practices were monopolistic.

Now, with a judge about to decide what "reparations" to impose, US government lawyers are pushing for the company to divest its flagship browser.

Google, for its part, has asked the court to rule out the option to sell Chrome. The decision is expected later this month and could redefine the balance of power in the browser market, dominated by Google with more than 60% of the global market share.

However, not everyone is taking Perplexity's offer seriously. Baird Equity Research noted in a note to investors that the app is worth much more than what Perplexity is proposing, and that the likelihood of Google accepting is minimal.

Meanwhile, another piece of news shook the tech world: Chinese authorities have urged local companies to avoid Nvidia's H20 processors, especially in government areas. The move stems from security concerns, despite Nvidia's insistence that its chips have no "back doors" or hidden remote control functions.

This climate of trade tensions and strict regulations is not unrelated to the dispute over Chrome. In a world where AI is advancing by leaps and bounds and data is the new oil, controlling a browser with billions of users is much more than a business: it's holding the key to the digital economy.

The battle between Perplexity AI and Google isn't just financial. It's a battle over the future of the internet, over who will control access to information, and over how governments will limit the power of Big Tech.

If the judge rules in favor of separating Chrome from Google, we could be facing the most iconic case since the AT&T split in the 1980s. If not, Google will maintain its hegemony… at least for now.