Alphabet Inc.’s Google and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are set to make their final pitches on Friday in a pivotal antitrust trial that could reshape the future of internet search.

At the heart of the case is whether Google must take dramatic steps—such as divesting its Chrome browser or altering its business practices—to restore fair competition in the search market. This follows a previous court ruling that found Google unlawfully maintained dominance over online search and advertising.

The DOJ, joined by a coalition of state attorneys general, is pushing for sweeping remedies. Their demands include not only the potential sell-off of Chrome but also prohibiting Google from paying billions to companies like Apple and mobile carriers to secure its default position on new devices. They also want Google to share its vast troves of search data, which could level the playing field for emerging AI firms and rival search engines.

The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, began in April and is expected to conclude with a decision on remedies by August.

One intriguing twist in the courtroom came when OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if the court mandates a divestiture. OpenAI’s head of product, Nick Turley, also noted that access to Google’s search data could significantly enhance the accuracy and relevance of its AI-generated responses.

Google, however, has pushed back hard, arguing that the DOJ’s proposed measures are excessive and could result in unfairly handing over its proprietary technology to competitors. The tech giant has already begun adjusting some of its agreements, such as allowing Samsung to preload alternative search tools and AI apps on its smartphones.

Nonetheless, the government contends these steps fall short. Prosecutors are urging the judge to go further by outright banning Google from offering financial incentives to lock in its search engine as the default on consumer devices—a key part of Google’s strategy to maintain dominance.

The outcome of this high-stakes trial could have sweeping implications not only for Google’s future, but also for the broader tech ecosystem, particularly AI and digital advertising.

As Judge Mehta weighs his final decision, the case stands as a defining moment in the ongoing struggle to balance innovation, competition, and consumer choice in the digital age.