Many see Perplexity’s bid to buy Google’s Chrome browser as a strategic statement rather than a likely transaction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Perplexity has made a surprise $34.5bn (£25.6bn) takeover offer for Google's Chrome internet browser. Moving Chrome to an independent operator committed to user safety would benefit the public, Perplexity said in a letter to Sundar Pichai, the boss of Google's owner Alphabet.

AI startup Perplexity said it made a formal offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion, in anticipation of requirements that may be imposed on the search giant in antitrust proceedings.