AI search in Safari: Apple probably wants to replace Google with AI
Apple may be considering AI as a replacement for Google Search in the Safari browser. The iPhone maker is reportedly already in contact with various AI companies regarding this matter.
Apple is currently examining the introduction of an AI search in the Safari browser. Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Services at Apple, said this in the context of an ongoing court case, as Bloomberg reported. The US Department of Justice's antitrust proceedings against the Google holding company Alphabet concern the question of whether Google has a monopoly position in the area of web search.
Since April, search queries on Safari have been declining for the first time, said the Apple manager. He explained this by saying that users are increasingly using AI applications instead of search engines. Accordingly, he assumes that the services of OpenAI, Perplexity, Anthropic and Co. will sooner or later replace Google's classic web search. This is why Apple wants to add the relevant AI services as search options in Safari in the near future, said Cue. The manufacturer has already held talks with Perplexity for this purpose.
The Apple manager's statements sent Google shares tumbling. The share price fell by around 7.5 percent in just a few hours. (Filip Sinjakovic/jor)
