ChatGPT may come to Safari, says top Apple executive: Google should be worried

Apple is quietly preparing a shift that could redefine how users interact with web browsers: integrating AI tools like ChatGPT directly into Safari. According to testimony during the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust trial against Google, Apple may soon let users choose from a broader set of AI-driven search engines — a move that could significantly weaken Google’s dominance.

Apple may loosen Google’s grip on Safari

Google pays Apple an estimated $20 billion per year to remain the default search engine on its devices, but that arrangement might soon face competition. Apple executive Eddy Cue confirmed that the company is evaluating options like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, and Claude by Anthropic as potential additions to Safari.

This wouldn’t replace Google outright, but it would put powerful AI alternatives just a tap away. Cue also revealed that Safari traffic fell in April 2025, as users increasingly rely on AI platforms to answer questions instead of traditional search engines.

AI tools are already changing how users search

These conversational tools don’t just provide links—they deliver summarized, context-rich answers in real time, often with citations and interactive features. Perplexity is known for speed and clarity, Claude for reasoning, and ChatGPT for its voice and memory functions. Integrating such tools into Safari could transform browsing from link-based searching to conversation-based exploration.

Apple has lagged behind in the AI race, but this shift suggests a more aggressive strategy. With Apple Intelligence expected to debut at WWDC 2025, offering multiple AI assistants within Safari could reshape how billions access the internet.