The tech industry never sleeps. Just when the dust begins to settle on one innovation, another headline-grabbing move takes center stage. In August 2025, that move came from Aravind Srinivas, the young Indian-origin co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, who shocked Silicon Valley by offering $34.5 billion to buy Google Chrome.
This ambitious offer not only captured global attention but also raised questions about the future of browsers, artificial intelligence, and the way we search for information online. Was it a genuine acquisition attempt? A strategic positioning move? Or simply a bold PR stunt to draw the world’s eyes toward Perplexity?
Let’s dive deep into this fascinating story.
Who Is Aravind Srinivas? The Man Behind the Headlines
Aravind Srinivas is not just another name in the AI race. Born in Chennai, India, in 1994, Srinivas excelled in academics early on. He pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras, one of India’s most prestigious institutions. Later, he went to the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science, specializing in artificial intelligence and natural language processing.
Before starting his entrepreneurial journey, Srinivas worked at some of the world’s most respected AI organizations, including Google Brain, DeepMind, and OpenAI. These experiences gave him the foundation and network to launch something bold of his own.
In 2022, he co-founded Perplexity AI with Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. Within just three years, the company grew into a powerful AI-driven platform offering real-time answers, often dubbed an “answer engine” that directly challenges traditional search models like Google Search.
The Rise of Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI’s mission is clear: to make finding answers online simpler, faster, and more trustworthy. Unlike conventional search engines that list links, Perplexity summarizes and cites information in real time. This unique approach has helped the company stand out in a crowded field dominated by Google and Microsoft.
By mid-2025, Perplexity’s valuation skyrocketed to around $14–18 billion. With millions of active users, strong venture backing, and a loyal following among researchers and tech enthusiasts, it quickly became one of the hottest AI startups in the world.
Still, despite this rapid growth, no one expected Srinivas to challenge Google in such a direct way.
The Bold $34.5 Billion Bid for Chrome
In August 2025, Aravind Srinivas formally submitted a $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser with over 3 billion active users.
The offer included some noteworthy promises:
Keeping Chrome Open-Source – Chrome is built on Chromium, an open-source engine. Perplexity pledged to maintain this structure, reassuring developers worldwide.
Investment Commitment – An additional $3 billion investment was promised over two years to enhance Chrome’s performance and security.
Employee Retention – Srinivas emphasized retaining key Chrome employees and leadership to ensure continuity.
Google Search Default – Perhaps surprisingly, Perplexity offered to keep Google as the default search engine inside Chrome. This was likely a tactical move to avoid triggering legal battles or antitrust concerns.
The bid was as shocking for its ambition as it was for its timing.
Why Now? The Antitrust Context
To understand the motivation, one has to look at Google’s ongoing antitrust troubles. In 2025, a U.S. federal court ruled that Google had unlawfully monopolized the search market. Among potential remedies, regulators even suggested that Google might be forced to divest some of its products—including Chrome.
Srinivas’s offer, then, wasn’t random. By stepping forward at this critical moment, Perplexity positioned itself as a viable alternative buyer if regulators force Alphabet (Google’s parent company) to sell.
In other words, whether or not Google takes the offer seriously, Perplexity is now in the conversation.
Industry Reactions: Serious Strategy or PR Stunt?
The tech community reacted with mixed emotions:
Skeptical Experts – Analysts pointed out that Perplexity’s own valuation is less than half of the proposed acquisition price. Financing such a massive deal would require deep-pocketed investors or sovereign wealth funds, none of which were publicly disclosed.
Public Buzz – On social media, many called the move “crazy” or a “publicity stunt.” Yet even critics admitted—it worked. Everyone was suddenly talking about Perplexity.
Supporters’ View – Some saw it as a visionary step, highlighting how the next big war in tech isn’t just about AI models but also about distribution platforms like browsers.
For Perplexity, whether the deal goes through or not, the visibility and brand positioning have already been achieved.
Why Chrome Matters in the AI Era
The focus on Chrome is not accidental. Browsers are the gateway to the internet. They determine which search engines, AI assistants, and default services billions of people use daily.
Chrome’s Market Share – With around 65% of global browser share, Chrome dominates the industry. Owning it would give Perplexity unprecedented access to users.
Integration of AI – As AI becomes more embedded in daily browsing—whether for search, shopping, or productivity—having direct browser integration could be a game-changer.
Control of Distribution – Instead of relying on partnerships or plugins, Perplexity could control the default pathways that users take online.
In essence, acquiring Chrome would give Perplexity not just visibility, but leverage against competitors like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
The elephant in the room remains: Where will $34.5 billion come from?
Srinivas claims that Perplexity has support from undisclosed financial backers, though details remain vague. The startup has raised significant funding in the past, but not nearly enough for this scale.
Possible scenarios include:
Consortium Funding – Partnering with multiple investment firms or sovereign funds.
Debt Financing – Using Chrome’s cash flow and advertising revenue as leverage.
Strategic Partnerships – Collaborating with companies that want to weaken Google’s dominance, such as Amazon or Meta.
Until details emerge, skepticism around the feasibility will remain.
Aravind Srinivas’s Leadership Style
Part of what makes this story so compelling is Aravind Srinivas himself. Unlike cautious CEOs, Srinivas is known for his boldness and willingness to challenge tech giants head-on.
He has openly criticized Big Tech monopolies.
He has vowed to keep Perplexity independent, despite rumors of acquisition interest from Google, Microsoft, and others.
His personal journey—from a small-town student in India to leading a multibillion-dollar AI company—makes him an inspiring figure.
This Chrome bid, in many ways, reflects Srinivas’s fearless personality.
Could Google Ever Sell Chrome?
Realistically, Google is unlikely to sell Chrome voluntarily. Chrome is too important to its ecosystem:
It drives traffic to Google Search, its most profitable business.
It supports other products like Gmail, Docs, and YouTube.
It helps collect valuable user data for advertising.
The only real scenario where Chrome might be sold is if regulators force a divestiture. If that happens, Perplexity’s early and public offer could give it a first-mover advantage.
The Publicity Payoff
Even if the acquisition never happens, Srinivas has already won in some ways:
Massive Free Marketing – Global media coverage worth billions in advertising.
Positioning as a Challenger – Perplexity is no longer seen as a small AI startup but as a company willing to take on Google.
User Growth – The curiosity surrounding the bid has likely driven new sign-ups for Perplexity’s AI tools.
In short, the move has put Perplexity on the global map in a way few PR campaigns could.
What This Means for the Future of Browsers and AI
The incident highlights a bigger trend: the convergence of browsers and AI. The browser is no longer just a tool to access websites. It’s becoming an intelligent hub that integrates search, productivity, communication, and AI assistance.
Perplexity knows this. By aiming for Chrome, it’s aiming at the very heart of internet access. If not Chrome, Perplexity may still focus on building or acquiring a browser of its own, integrating AI at its core.
Key Takeaways
1. Aravind Srinivas is redefining ambition in AI – His bold leadership sets him apart from traditional cautious CEOs.
2. Perplexity’s offer may not be practical – Financing remains unclear, but the move has already achieved its publicity goal.
3. Regulators could change the game – If forced divestitures happen, Perplexity’s bid could suddenly look more realistic.
4. Browsers are the next battleground – As AI becomes central to daily life, whoever controls the browser controls the gateway.
5. Win or lose, Perplexity has made its mark – The company is now firmly on the radar of users, regulators, and competitors alike.
Conclusion
Aravind Srinivas’s $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome may or may not succeed. But in terms of impact, visibility, and positioning, it has already achieved more than most startups could dream of.
It shows that the future of technology will not just be about who builds the best AI model—but also about who controls the platforms where billions of people interact with that AI.
Whether Chrome changes hands or not, one thing is clear: Perplexity AI has arrived as a serious contender in the global tech arena. And with Aravind Srinivas at the helm, the world should expect many more bold moves in the years ahead.
If you found this article helpful, share it with others interested in AI innovations and drop your thoughts in the comments. Got questions about this article? Feel free to ask—I’d be happy to hear from you!
