In a groundbreaking shift for the tech industry, Apple has announced plans to revamp its Safari browser, moving away from traditional search engines in favor of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered alternatives. This revelation came during testimony from Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, at the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust trial against Google, where he highlighted a notable decline in searches conducted through Safari for the first time in 22 years.
During his testimony on May 7, 2025, Cue attributed this decline to a growing trend of users turning to AI tools for their search needs. He stated, “That has never happened in 22 years,” emphasizing the fundamental shift in user behavior as they increasingly opt for AI-driven search solutions like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Anthropic.
Apple’s potential shift away from Google as the default search engine on Safari is significant, given that Google pays Apple approximately $20 billion annually for this privilege. This deal represents about 36% of Google’s search advertising revenue generated through Safari, making it a crucial financial arrangement for both companies.
As AI technology continues to gain traction, Cue indicated that Apple is actively exploring the integration of AI search engines into Safari. “There is much greater potential,” he noted, highlighting how new entrants are addressing search problems in innovative ways. This marks a pivotal moment for Apple, which has relied on Google search since the launch of the iPhone in 2007. With over 2 billion active devices worldwide, the implications of this change could be monumental.
The backdrop of this shift is the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Google’s dominance in the online search market. The U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against Google seeks to address concerns about monopolistic practices, with proposals to ban Google from paying companies to remain default search engines. Such measures could lead to a significant restructuring of how search engines operate on popular platforms like Safari.
Following Cue’s testimony, shares of Google-parent Alphabet fell by 7.3%, erasing roughly $150 billion from its market value. This sharp decline underscores the potential impact of AI on Google’s business model, which has long relied on its status as the default search engine on Apple devices.
Despite the excitement surrounding AI, Cue acknowledged the financial risks associated with moving away from Google. “I’ve lost sleep over the risk of losing the Google deal,” he admitted. However, he also expressed confidence that the evolution of technology, particularly with AI, could create opportunities for new competitors in the search space.
Currently, Google remains the default search engine for Safari, but the landscape is poised to change. AI search tools have been gaining popularity, with ChatGPT reporting over 1 billion weekly web searches and more than 400 million active users as of February. This surge in AI usage has prompted Apple to consider alternatives that could enhance user experience and engagement.
Cue’s testimony also revealed that Apple has been evaluating various AI search providers, including Anthropic and DeepSeek, as potential new partners for Safari. In a behind-the-scenes “bake-off,” Apple previously compared Google’s offerings with those of OpenAI, ultimately selecting ChatGPT for integration into Apple’s services.
While AI search tools present certain advantages, they also come with challenges. Cue acknowledged that these tools can sometimes produce incomplete or inaccurate information, raising questions about their reliability compared to traditional search engines. Nevertheless, he believes that the appeal of AI-driven searches could lead users to prioritize them over conventional options.
As Apple explores these changes, the implications for the tech industry are significant. The potential shift in search dynamics could reshape how users access information and interact with the internet. Cue likened this transition to the advent of the iPhone, suggesting that traditional search engines may not hold the same relevance in the future.
In conclusion, the move towards AI-powered search options in Safari represents a seismic shift in the tech landscape, with the potential to disrupt Google’s long-standing dominance. As Apple continues to evaluate its options, the outcomes of this trial and the decisions made in the coming months will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for both companies and the broader search market.
