AI startup Perplexity said it made a formal offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion, in anticipation of requirements that may be imposed on the search giant in antitrust

The AI search startup looks less like an acquirer and more like a company to be acquired, but its CEO understands that optics matter.

AI startup Perplexity on Tuesday offered $34.5 billion to buy Google's Chrome browser, positioning itself to challenge the tech giant's dominance in web search. The bid is nearly double Perplexity’s valuation at reportedly $18 billion.