Apple Eyes AI Search Options Amid Google Uncertainty

Apple is actively exploring integrating AI-powered search engines into its Safari browser, as revealed by executive Eddy Cue during the DOJ antitrust case against Google. Cue attributed a decline in Safari searches to users turning to AI-driven alternatives such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity, which Apple may soon add as options, though not as the default until their indexing improves. The news triggered a sharp selloff in Alphabet stock, wiping out over $140 billion in market capitalization and affecting tech and crypto markets. Courts are also considering remedies that could end Google's default status on Apple devices, adding further uncertainty for both companies. Apple is speculating on long-term shifts, including the possibility of AI-powered wearables supplanting smartphones. This moment marks a significant turning point in online search and digital advertising, with wide-ranging implications for competition and consumer choice.