Judge Weighs Remedies to Address Google’s Search Engine Monopoly Amid AI Disruption

Federal Judge Amit P. Mehta faces critical choices regarding how to address Google’s dominance in the search engine market.

On Friday, during the final day of a three-week hearing at the U.S. District Court in Washington, the judge rigorously questioned attorneys representing both the Justice Department and Google. The focus was on determining the most effective remedies to dismantle Google’s search monopoly. The judge is expected to deliver a ruling by August.

The government has proposed that Google be compelled to divest its widely used Chrome web browser and share the underlying data that powers its search results with competitors. Google, in response, has suggested a much narrower set of changes.

Having previously ruled that Google violated antitrust laws to preserve its search dominance, Judge Mehta shifted his attention to the role of artificial intelligence. Recognizing AI’s transformative potential for the tech industry, he raised questions about whether the proposed solutions would enable new competitors to emerge and develop a comprehensive search engine.

“Does the government see a viable market for a new search engine to take shape in the form we understand today?” he asked. The government argued that AI-based products are integral to the future landscape of search.

Judge Mehta’s decision arrives at a pivotal time as Google competes with major players like Microsoft, Meta, and the startup OpenAI to attract users to AI-powered generative search tools that provide human-like responses. The ruling could either restrict Google’s AI initiatives or give an edge to its rivals developing similar AI-enhanced search technologies.

Beyond Google, the verdict will also reflect whether recent government efforts to regulate the largest technology companies through antitrust litigation will lead to meaningful changes in their business operations.