OpenAI’s acquisition of Rockset and recruitment of ex-Google engineers fuel speculation about an AI-native browser, raising antitrust concerns amid ongoing DOJ cases against Big Tech.
OpenAI has intensified speculation about developing an AI-first browser through its June 10 acquisition of real-time database firm Rockset and recruitment of ex-Google Chrome engineers, as reported by The Information. The DOJ’s updated antitrust complaint against Google on June 12 explicitly links browser dominance to AI market distortion, while Brave CEO Brendan Eich warned TechCrunch that such a move could ‘redefine data collection at planetary scale.’
Strategic Moves Toward Browser-Based AI
OpenAI’s $150M acquisition of Rockset provides infrastructure for processing real-time user interactions – critical for training models via browser behavior. The Information reported on June 11 that three ex-Chrome engineers specializing in extension APIs and rendering engines joined OpenAI this month. While CEO Sam Altman hasn’t confirmed browser plans, a June 12 blog post stated Rockset will ’empower developers to build AI-first applications with live data.’
Antitrust Implications in the DOJ Spotlight
The Department of Justice’s updated complaint in U.S. v. Google argues Chrome’s 65% market share lets Google ‘control the pipeline for AI training data through cookies and site analytics.’ Legal experts note this creates precedent for blocking similar moves by rivals. Stanford Law’s Mark Lemley warned: ‘Any attempt to bundle ChatGPT into a dominant browser would face immediate FTC scrutiny under new vertical merger guidelines.’
The Data Collection Arms Race
Brave’s 2024 Adversarial AI Report estimates ChatGPT integration could capture 62M+ daily queries from browser users. CEO Brendan Eich told TechCrunch: ‘Unlike search engines, browsers see every keystroke – that’s the holy grail for training multimodal AI.’ Microsoft’s Recall feature – now under EU investigation per The Verge – demonstrates regulatory sensitivity around AI capturing user activity.
Historical Parallels and Regulatory Responses
Google’s 2008 Chrome launch leveraged browser dominance to boost Search – a playbook OpenAI might adapt for AI. However, the FTC’s 2023 breakup of Meta’s Within acquisition suggests heightened scrutiny of vertical integration. The EU’s Digital Markets Act now classifies browsers as ‘gatekeeper services,’ requiring data access for rivals – a model that could apply to AI-native browsers. As Mozilla’s Mitchell Baker noted: ‘When the interface itself is an AI, antitrust frameworks need reimagining.’
