Apple is considering adding AI search to its browser, which could potentially challenge Google's dominant position.

Apple is "actively researching" reshaping its Safari web browser on devices to focus on AI-driven search services, citing potential termination of partnership with Google and broader industry changes. Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue disclosed this information during his testimony at the United States Department of Justice's lawsuit against Alphabet on Wednesday. The core of the lawsuit is the roughly $20 billion annual deal between Apple and Google, which makes Google the default search engine in Apple devices' built-in browsers. Cue noted a recent decline in search traffic on Safari browser last month, attributing it to users shifting towards AI tools. He anticipates that AI search providers such as OpenAI, Perplexity AI Inc., and Anthropic PBC will gradually replace traditional search engines like Google. Cue stated that he believes Apple will incorporate these new AI search options into Safari in the future.