Perplexity AI makes, an artificial intelligence startup, has made a stunning $34.5 billion (£25.6 billion) bid to acquire the world’s leading web browser, Google Chrome.
Perplexity AI is only three years old and has backers from influential figures like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and chip maker Nvidia, leading the firm with a former Google and OpenAI employee.
However, one investor from the tech sector deemed the investment “a stunt” and claimed it to be far below Chrome’s actual worth, also stating the offer is irrelevant if the platform is not for sale.
The BBC has reached out for a comment from Google.
This month, a federal US judge is expected to rule whether Google should be forced to divest parts of its business in a case centered on its search function.
Google has stated willingness to appeal, arguing that the divestiture of Chrome is ‘unprecedented’ and would diminish consumer value and compromise security, stating Microsoft’s approach to owning its products is “unprecedented” and simply harmful.
What is Perplexity of AI makes?
Perplexity is one of the newest names in the fast-growing world of generative AI, moving right alongside heavyweights like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Gemini from Google.
Just last month it dropped a fresh feature: a surfing-the-web AI browser called Comet.
This newcomer has already stirred up drama. Media groups, especially, have called it out for allegedly skipping the basic copyright rules.
In June, the BBC shot off a letter to the company’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas. The letter warned that Perplexity was quoting BBC articles “word for word”– and they never okayed it.
Perplexity fired back, saying, “This accusation is just more proof the BBC will go to any lengths to protect Google’s unlawful monopolistic power.”
The browser has around three billion users.
Alongside growing scrutiny over Google’s monopolistic control over the search engine and advertising industry, the company has also pulled the attention of lawmakers with two antitrust lawsuits filed against them.
A representative of Perplexity commented to the BBC that the bid demonstrates a, “important commitment to the open web, user choice, and continuity for everyone who has chosen Chrome.”
Perplexity claimed in a letter to Sundar Pichai, the head of Google’s parent company Alphabet, that transitioning Chrome to a separately managed company focused on privacy and safety would do the public good.
Perplexity has not answered questions on how the hypothetical agreement would be financed. As of July, the company had an estimated valuation of $18 billion.
Google’s Role Remains Unclear
It didn’t specify how Google fits into the BBC’s situation or attach any other insights. While the company’s connection to the issue is mentioned, the details of its involvement remain vague, leaving room for speculation about its influence in the broader context.
Spotlight on TikTok Acquisition AI makes
Earlier this year, the company grabbed headlines when it proposed to acquire TikTok’s U.S. arm. With TikTok’s Chinese owner facing a federal deadline in September to divest or risk being banned in the United States, the move positioned the company at the center of a high-stakes international technology debate.
Preserving AI makes Google’s Default Position
Under the acquisition conditions, Perplexity confirmed that Google would remain the default search engine on Chrome. However, users would still retain the ability to switch to another search engine through their browser settings, maintaining a balance between user choice and Google’s dominance.
Commitment to Open-Source Development AI makes
Perplexity also pledged to preserve and enhance Chromium, the open-source engine that powers not only Chrome but also other popular browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Opera. This commitment highlights its role in ensuring the stability and future development of key internet infrastructure.
Reference Website:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3dpr0kkyz4o
