Summary
Perplexity AI has made a $34.5 billion offer to buy Google Chrome from Alphabet, even though Alphabet did not offer it for sale. The move comes as increased regulatory pressure is on Google's control of the tech industry, and Perplexity aims to expand its reach with Chrome's large user base.
Key Facts
- Perplexity AI offered $34.5 billion in cash to buy Google Chrome from Alphabet.
- Alphabet has not agreed to sell Chrome and was not attempting to sell it.
- The deal would need financing beyond Perplexity's latest valuation of $18 billion.
- Perplexity has raised $1 billion from investors like SoftBank and Nvidia.
- Several funds are willing to finance the deal if Alphabet accepts the offer.
- A U.S. court ruled Google holds an unlawful search monopoly, with divestiture of Chrome as a suggested remedy.
- Chrome has over three billion users, making it an important tool for tech companies.
- Perplexity's current AI browser, Comet, operates tasks on users' behalf, and buying Chrome would expand its user reach.
