SearchGPT Isn’t the Only Product OpenAI Has in Mind. It’s Reportedly Working on a Browser to Compete With Chrome

OpenAI is ready to take on Google. In July, the AI startup announced SearchGPT, a new AI-based search engine. However, the company is aiming for more. According to The Information, it’s now exploring the development of a web browser.

A browser with a built-in chatbot. OpenAI’s purported browser will include standard features typical of web browsers but also integrate ChatGPT. It’s unclear whether this would include the new SearchGPT or what specific features the chatbot would provide, but the initiative clearly represents a direct challenge to Google.

Challenging times at Google. Google currently finds itself in a challenging position, particularly after the Department of Justice formally requested that the tech company divest the Chrome browser. While there are potential ways to avoid this, analyst M.G. Siegler pointed out that separating Chrome from Google “sounds good on paper, but would be extremely messy, if not impossible to execute.”

Google may eventually have to sell Chrome. The browser landscape is in upheaval. Mozilla is struggling and has recently laid off 30% of its staff. Meanwhile, the visually striking browser Arc has ceased development, and neither Safari nor Edge effectively competes with Chrome.

The DOJ’s demands could take years to materialize, so Chrome is unlikely to change ownership soon. However, there are opportunities for innovation, and OpenAI’s plan to launch a browser powered by its chatbot is certainly intriguing.

Backup plans. The Information also reports that OpenAI isn’t only enhancing its search engine but also negotiating agreements with various platforms and web services. These initiatives, primarily focused on e-commerce, aim to integrate new AI search functions into sectors such as tourism, hospitality, real estate, and a variety of retail stores.

Possible collaboration with Samsung. OpenAI is also reportedly considering a partnership with Samsung to implement AI features in its devices. This agreement could resemble Apple’s recent partnership with OpenAI, which was announced in June, and would pose a challenge for Google, traditionally Samsung’s ally.

A covert war. The developments reported by The Information suggest that OpenAI is making significant efforts to penetrate markets usually dominated by Google. ChatGPT has increasingly become an alternative to Google’s traditional search engine for many users, at least in certain contexts. Additionally, GPT-4o is in direct competition with Gemini Live, vying to become the primary AI voice assistant that users interact with on a daily basis.

Image | Levart_Photographer| Rubaitul Azad

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