Apple Considers AI Search Engines for Safari Amid Google Deal Uncertainty

Apple Inc. is exploring the integration of AI-powered search engines into its Safari web browser, according to Bloomberg. This initiative was disclosed by Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, during his testimony in the U.S. Justice Department's lawsuit against Alphabet. The potential shift comes amid uncertainty surrounding Apple's $20 billion-a-year deal with Google, which currently makes Google the default search engine on Safari.

Cue noted that searches on Safari declined for the first time last month, attributing this to the increased use of AI tools. He mentioned that AI search providers like OpenAI, Perplexity AI, and Anthropic could eventually replace traditional search engines such as Google. However, these AI options are not expected to become the default in Safari immediately, as they still require improvements.

Apple has already engaged in discussions with some AI providers, including Perplexity, and offers OpenAI's ChatGPT as an option in Siri. Despite these developments, Cue emphasized that Google's search engine remains the default due to its favorable financial terms for Apple.