A little three year old AI company called Perplexity has decided it wants to play with the big boys. In a move that’s either a stroke of genius or a brilliant bit of marketing, they’ve made a completely unsolicited, all cash offer of a measly $34.5 billion to buy Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser. Yes, that’s “billion,” but in tech terms, it’s basically pocket change.
This is the kind of audacious stunt that makes you spill your tea. Perplexity, a company worth a relatively modest $18 billion, is trying to buy an asset that experts say is probably worth ten times their offer, if not more. It’s like a kid with a tenner trying to buy a Ferrari. The company says it has “several funds” lined up to finance the deal, which is great, but let’s be honest, getting the money is the easy part. Getting Google to sell is the bit that’s causing all the giggles.
A Brilliant Bid for Attention
The timing of this is, of course, no accident. Google is currently embroiled in a little spat with the US Department of Justice, which is trying to prove the tech giant has an unlawful monopoly over the search market. The DOJ has even suggested that Google might have to sell off Chrome to fix the problem. So, Perplexity has basically waltzed in, waved a massive wad of cash, and said, “Here, let us help you with that pesky monopoly issue.”
It’s a clever play, designed to make Perplexity seem like the plucky underdog fighting for an “open web” and “user choice.” In reality, they’re hoping to get their hands on Chrome’s three billion users and all that lovely, lovely data. After all, what’s an AI company without a massive user base to feed its algorithms?
This isn’t Perplexity’s first headline grabbing move. Earlier this year, it tried to buy TikTok, which was another hilarious attempt to get some free publicity. It seems Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, a former Google and OpenAI employee, loves a bit of a media stunt. And frankly, we’re here for it.
Of course, Google hasn’t actually responded to the offer yet. They’re probably still laughing. And investors seem to think the whole thing is a joke too. One industry expert called the offer a “stunt” and a “nowhere near” the browser’s true value.
But with AI taking over everything, a company with an AI browser and the keys to the most popular web browser in the world could be a formidable competitor. Or, you know, they could just be making a silly offer to get their name in the news. Either way, it’s making for a rather entertaining tech story.
Who are Perplexity?
For those not in the know, Perplexity is an American AI startup that’s trying to shake up the way we find information online. Instead of giving you a list of links like Google, Perplexity acts more like a super smart research assistant. You ask it a question, and it gives you a direct, summarized answer, complete with citations so you can check its sources.
They’re essentially betting that people are tired of sifting through countless websites to find what they’re looking for. Perplexity is one of the key players in the new wave of generative AI, and it’s backed by some serious money from big name investors, putting it in direct competition with the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s own AI tools.
