Perplexity AI has made a surprise $34.5 billion cash offer for Google’s Chrome browser, despite that being twice the AI startups own value.

When the DOJ first proposed that Google divest Chrome, both OpenAI and Perplexity expressed interest in buying it. Given that Chrome is the dominant browser, with 68% marketshare according to Statcounter, if the court rules Chrome must be sold, no doubt others worldwide would want to bid as well.

California-based AI startup Perplexity offered over $34B to buy Google Chrome as it battles for industry dominance with bigger names like Meta and OpenAI.