Perplexity Bids $34.5 Billion for Chrome Amid AI Browser Surge

Perplexity, an artificial intelligence startup, has stirred major interest in both Silicon Valley and Wall Street with its unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash bid to acquire Chrome, the world’s most widely used web browser [1]. This bold move comes in the wake of Perplexity’s recent launch of its AI-powered browser, Comet, and as a federal court weighs whether Google must divest Chrome following a significant antitrust ruling by the Department of Justice [1].

Comet, which is set to become available to all Perplexity Pro users, introduces several enhancements over Chrome. Unlike Chrome, where AI features typically arrive through add-ons or extensions, Comet integrates an always-present AI assistant directly into the browser interface [1]. Positioned in the top-right corner, the AI assistant can summarize content in real-time, compare information across multiple tabs, automate tasks such as booking meetings and sending emails, and provide context-aware event reminders [1]. In contrast, Chrome’s recent AI additions—like Gemini, Google Lens, and “tab compare”—are still limited in scope and lack the end-to-end automation that Comet offers [1].

The introduction of Comet signals a shift in the browsing experience from a navigation-based interface to a conversational one, where users can interact directly with the browser [1]. Thomas Grange, co-founder and chief innovation officer at AI-search optimization platform Botify, argues that this shift represents an entirely new, hyper-personalized, and context-aware approach to information retrieval [1]. Grange emphasizes that the integration of AI search with traditional browsing is not simply about speed but about redefining how users interact with information [1]. Perplexity’s Comet embodies this change by placing an AI answer engine at the core of its interface, allowing users to ask questions and receive direct answers rather than navigating through a list of search results [1]. The assistant is also designed to act on behalf of users, aiming to make browsing more about productivity than navigation [1].

Usha Haley, a professor at Wichita State University and a noted expert in international business, suggests that Perplexity’s bid for Chrome is less audacious when one tries out Comet [1]. She explains that an always-present AI assistant capable of operating on any webpage transforms the web from a space to navigate into one that actively works for the user [1]. The acquisition of Chrome could provide Perplexity with a massive user base and a unique opportunity to leapfrog into mainstream usage [1]. However, Haley cautions that the road to becoming the “next Google” is extremely challenging. She notes that AI-powered browsers excel at specific tasks but struggle to transition from impressive demonstrations to everyday habits [1].

Joshua McKenty, CEO of cybersecurity firm Polyguard and a former NASA architect, highlights the strategic significance of the potential acquisition [1]. He argues that Chrome is one of the most powerful sources of new training data, especially if it operates independently from the Google login ecosystem [1]. Browsers, as the only method capable of accessing content behind every login and firewall, can index nearly everything on the web [1]. However, Ari Paparo, a former Google executive, underscores that the Department of Justice and courts are unlikely to simply empower a new monopoly to replace the one they are currently dismantling [1]. He adds that AI tools become more useful when they understand the context of user behavior, but regulatory scrutiny will remain a major hurdle [1].

Eric Vaughan, CEO of AI-focused enterprise-software company IgniteTech, believes Perplexity could disrupt the market by eliminating the need for traditional search altogether [1]. He argues that the true innovation is not in improving search results but in bypassing websites entirely [1]. For Perplexity, owning Chrome—assuming regulatory approval—would grant immediate access to billions of users, vast amounts of behavioral data, and a powerful distribution channel to lead the AI race [1].

However, the Perplexity-Chrome deal faces significant challenges. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is not actively seeking to sell Chrome, and Perplexity, despite backing from investors like Nvidia and SoftBank, has a fraction of the user base and revenue compared to Google [1]. Furthermore, competitors are also advancing their AI-powered browsers. Microsoft’s Edge now features Copilot Mode, which offers similar functionality to Comet, including real-time content summarization, task automation, and voice command support—while also being integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem and offered at no cost [1]. OpenAI is also reportedly preparing to launch its own AI-powered browser, leveraging the popularity of ChatGPT and its 500 million weekly active users to challenge Chrome’s dominance [1].

Regardless of whether the acquisition is finalized, the emergence of AI-powered browsers like Comet marks a pivotal shift in the digital landscape. These tools are redefining how users engage with the internet and are pushing traditional search engines like Google to rethink their approaches [1]. While the technical capabilities of these AI browsers are impressive, becoming the “next Google” requires more than just innovation. It demands trust, habitual usage, and global scale—factors that Perplexity is only beginning to address [1].

Source: [1] Perplexity’s AI web browser Comet feels light-years ahead of Chrome. Are we looking at the next Google? (https://fortune.com/2025/08/13/perplexity-chrome-acquisition-bid-comet-ai-browser-next-google/)