Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up perplexity has unexpectedly repurposed a $34.5billion (£25.6 billion) takeover of Google’s Chrome internet browser.

In a letter to CEO of Google parent company Alphabet Sundar Pichai, Perplxity argued that moving Chrome to an independent operator focused on user safety would benefit the public.

However, some technology industry investors have dismissed the offer as a “stunt” contending that it undervalues Chrome and questioning whether the browser is even for sale. Google has not indicated any intention of selling Chrome. The Chrome alone boasts 3 billion users and is world’s most popular browser.

Google’s dominance in search and online advertising has come under scrutiny, with the company facing two antitrust cases. A US federal judge is expected to issue ruling this month that would require Google to break up in search business.

The company has stated it would appeal any ruling, calling the notion as spinning of Chrome as an “unprecedented proposal” that could harm consumers and security.

A spokesperson for Perplexity emphasised that its bid represents a commitment to the open web and user choice, stating that Google will remain the default search engine within Chrome, though users could change their settings.

Perplexity also plans to maintain and also supports Chromium, the open source platform that underpins Chrome and browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera.

Details on how Perplexity would fund the proposed deal remain unclear, especially given that the company was valued at an estimated of $18 billion dollars in July.

A technology investor and start-up founder, Heath Ahrens criticised the bid, he suggested that it is significantly lower than Chrome’s true value, which he believes would be 10 times higher.

The offer comes when perplexity rises among generative AI competitors, along side notable players like Open AI, Chat GPT and Google Gemini. The company recently launched an AI- powered browser Comet and has also expressed interest in acquiring US version of Tik Tok, which faces the deadline of sale due to regulatory pressures.

Perplexity has reportedly attracted interest from major tech firms including Apple and Meta.

Google’s dominance of the search engine and online advertising market has come under intense scrutiny, with the technology giant embroiled in years of legal wrangling as part of two antitrust cases.

A US federal judge is expected to issue a ruling this month that could see Google being ordered to break up its search business.

The company has said it would appeal such a ruling, saying the idea of spinning off Chrome was an “unprecedented proposal” that would harm consumers and security.

A spokesman for Perplexity told the BBC that its bid marks an “important commitment to the open web, user choice, and continuity for everyone who has chosen Chrome.”

As part of the proposed takeover, Perplexity said it would continue to have Google as the default search engine within Chrome, though users could adjust their settings.

The firm said it would also maintain and support Chromium, a widely-used open-source platform that supports Chrome and other browsers including Microsoft Edge and Opera.Perplexity did not respond to queries about how the proposed deal would be funded. In July, it had an estimated value of $18bn.

Technology industry investor and start-up founder Heath Ahrens called Perplexity’s move a “stunt, and nowhere near Chrome’s true value, given its unmatched data and reach.”“The offer isn’t serious, but if someone like Sam Altman or Elon Musk tripled it, they could genuinely secure dominance for their AI,” he added.

It is also not clear whether Google is considering selling the platform, Tomasz Tunguz from Theory Ventures told the BBC.

He also said the offer is a lot lower than the browser is worth “given the value of Chrome is likely significantly higher – maybe ten times more valuable than the bid or more.”

Perplexity’s app is among the rising players in the generative AI race, alongside more well-known platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Last month, it launched an AI-powered browser called Comet.

The company made headlines earlier this year after offering to buy the American version of TikTok, which faces a deadline in September to be sold by its Chinese owner or be banned in the US.

Perplexity has reportedly drawn interest from technology giants including Apple and Facebook-owner Meta.