In what could be a defining moment for the digital economy, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a high-stakes antitrust trial against Alphabet’s Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), accusing the tech giant of using its dominance in online search to unfairly boost its artificial intelligence products.
The DOJ is pushing for strong structural remedies, including the potential divestiture of Google’s Chrome browser, in order to break the company’s search monopoly. Prosecutors claim that this monopoly not only stifles competition but also unfairly advantages Google’s AI products, reinforcing its entrenched position online.
A Fight With Big Implications
DOJ attorney David Dahlquist told the court, “Now is the time to tell Google and all other monopolists… there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws.” The trial draws parallels with historic cases like AT&T and Standard Oil, which led to breakups that reshaped entire industries.
With Google being the de facto gateway to the internet, the outcome could shift how billions of users access information. According to the DOJ, Google’s dominance in search provides a feedback loop that enhances its AI tools—tools that, in turn, redirect users back into Google’s search ecosystem.
AI at the Core of the Case
One of the most striking revelations was that Google is paying Samsung (KS:005930) an “enormous sum” monthly to preload the Gemini AI app on smartphones—an arrangement that could last through 2028. The DOJ argues such deals limit competition and reinforce Google’s already-dominant position in both search and AI.
The DOJ emphasized that any court remedy must be forward-looking, especially given how search and generative AI are becoming increasingly intertwined.

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