Perplexity AI Makes $34.5 Billion Surprise Bid for Google Chrome

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Artificial intelligence start-up Perplexity has shocked the tech world with a $34.5 billion (£25.6 billion) takeover bid for Google’s Chrome browser, the most widely used web browser in the world with over three billion users.

In a letter to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google’s parent company Alphabet, Perplexity claimed that moving Chrome to an independent operator committed to user safety would benefit the public. The company pledged to maintain Google as the default search engine in Chrome—though users could change settings—and to continue supporting Chromium, the open-source platform powering Chrome and other browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera.

However, many in the tech industry have dismissed the proposal as unrealistic. Technology investor Heath Ahrens called the offer a “stunt,” saying it was far below Chrome’s true value, which he believes could be ten times higher. He added that a serious bid from high-profile figures like Sam Altman or Elon Musk—at three times the amount—might actually secure dominance in the AI space.

Tomasz Tunguz of Theory Ventures echoed these doubts, saying it is unclear whether Google is even considering selling Chrome, and noting the browser’s value likely far exceeds Perplexity’s offer.

Perplexity’s own valuation stood at $18 billion in July, leaving questions about how it would fund such a massive acquisition. The start-up has emerged as a rising player in generative AI, competing with platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Last month, Perplexity launched Comet, its own AI-powered browser.

This is not the company’s first high-profile acquisition attempt. Earlier this year, Perplexity offered to buy the U.S. arm of TikTok, which faces a September deadline to be sold by its Chinese parent company or be banned in the U.S. The start-up has also attracted interest from tech giants including Apple and Meta.

The bid comes at a time when Google is facing intense antitrust scrutiny in the U.S. A federal judge is expected to rule soon on a case that could force the tech giant to break up parts of its search business. Google has said it would appeal any such order, calling the idea of spinning off Chrome “unprecedented” and harmful to consumers and security.

While Perplexity insists its offer represents a commitment to the open web, user choice, and continuity, the tech industry remains skeptical about whether the bid is serious—or even possible.