Google wants its AI to get a free ride on Maps and YouTube

#394: The search giant argues the AI market is still forming and its rivals are bundling already, but the judge fears it could spawn a new monopoly...

Image created on Midjourney. Credit: Ricky Sutton

Still celebrating its huge victory over demands to sell its Chrome browser, Google was back in court yesterday trying to unwind more of the search antitrust ruling.

It wants permission to bundle Gemini with YouTube and Maps, using their scale to turbocharge adoption of its AI.

Google has deals with Samsung, Motorola and other major phone makers requiring them to bundle its products in return for using its Android operating system.

The judge Amit Mehta raised concerns during the trial that this type of bundling would give Google “leverage” to create a new monopoly in AI.

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But Google attorney John Schmidtlein told him this week that Gemini should be allowed to be bundled as competition in the AI market was still emerging.

Microsoft already bundles its AI with Office and its Edge browser. Meta does the same with its AI integrations in WhatsApp and Instagram.

Bloomberg reported Schmidtlein told the court that “there’s no notion that Google has t…