OpenAI is reportedly working on a new web browser that could challenge Google Chrome’s dominance. The company has hired former Google engineers, including Ben Goodger and Darin Fisher, who played significant roles in developing the original Chrome browser.
According to The Information, OpenAI has engaged in discussions with companies like Conde Nast, Eventbrite, Redfin, and Priceline. These talks have focused on integrating “power search features” tailored to specific industries, such as travel, food, real estate, and retail. The browser will reportedly come with built-in support for ChatGPT and AI-powered search, highlighting OpenAI’s broader push into artificial intelligence integration.
The project is still in its early stages, with a functional version of the browser reportedly far from ready. OpenAI is also collaborating with Samsung to explore integrating AI features into smartphones, potentially expanding its reach into mobile platforms.
Google Chrome continues to dominate the browser market, with a reported 65% share on desktop and 68% on mobile as of October, according to Statcounter. However, Google is facing antitrust scrutiny in the United States, with proposals suggesting the company divest its Chrome browser business to address concerns about its market dominance.
The US Department of Justice argues that Google’s practices have created an unfair competitive advantage in the browser space. Mozilla has raised concerns that such measures could harm smaller browsers, while Google has dismissed the proposals as overly severe.
OpenAI’s browser project, if successful, could introduce more competition in the browser landscape and offer new AI-driven tools to users. However, significant development and collaboration will be required before it becomes a viable alternative to existing browsers.
