The circus of monopolies and browsers
Ah, Google, that technology giant we all love to hate, could be forced to part with its beloved Chrome. Yes, the same browser that you accidentally installed when downloading anything on the internet. Judges in the United States, in a burst of poetic justice, have declared that the company is a monopoly (surprise!). And as punishment, they could force her to sell her flagship browser. What’s next? That Microsoft has to give away Windows?
But here comes the comical twist: OpenAI, the same company behind ChatGPT, is already rubbing its hands like a cartoon villain. Nick Turley, ChatGPT’s product manager, enthusiastically stated that they would be interested in purchasing Chrome. Of course, because what better way to dominate the world than to take over the browser that half the planet uses to search for “how to make homemade bread”?
The revenge of the AI
It turns out that OpenAI had already tried to collaborate with Google to integrate its search engine into ChatGPT. But Google, in an act of arrogance worthy of a teenager, said no. Now, with the possibility of buying Chrome, OpenAI could have its sweet revenge. “Oh, don’t you want to collaborate? Well now the browser is mine, baby!” Of course, Turley put it more elegantly: “We would offer a truly incredible experience.” Translation: “We’d have ChatGPT tell you what to look for before you think about it.”
OpenAI had already been working on their own browser, but they admitted that it is not as easy as making a chatbot that writes poems about carrots. So why reinvent the wheel if you can buy it? Chrome already has millions of users, infrastructure and, most importantly, that annoying search bar that always suggests uncomfortable things to you.
If this happens, the landscape of browsers and online searches would change more than Elon Musk’s mood on Twitter. Imagine: instead of Google spying on you, it would be an AI that would decide what results to show you. Better? Worse? Or just weirder?
Google doesn’t want to let go of its toy
Of course, Google isn’t willing to give up Chrome without a fight. Anne Mulholland, vice president of regulatory affairs, released a statement worthy of a Netflix drama: “It would harm American consumers, the economy, and technological leadership.” That is, basically, “if they take Chrome away from us, the country will collapse.” Dramatic, but effective.
Meanwhile, Google will have to wait to see if the judges decide that its punishment is to sell Chrome or simply receive a public scolding. For now, OpenAI is still there, waiting like a child in front of a candy store, ticket in hand.
What’s next? If OpenAI sticks with Chrome, be prepared for your browser to make bad jokes while you search for recipes. And if Google manages to keep it, well, at least we’ll still have those cookies that no one wants but we all accept.
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