Nick Turley, the head of product at ChatGPT, is set to appear as a witness for the U.S. government’s case against Google. The government aims to establish the significant barriers that Google’s rivals encounter in the current tech market.
A court ruling last summer concluded that Google operates as a search monopoly. As Google disputes this verdict, the Department of Justice (DOJ) awaits the court’s decision on potential sanctions like segregating Chrome or a decade-long browser product ban.
The DOJ has procured witnesses from Google’s competitors like Microsoft, Perplexity, and OpenAI as it fortifies its case. Entities like Perplexity’s CBO Dmitry Shevelenko might also present their views, although the confirmation is still awaited as no immediate comment has been received yet.
A recent legal filing reveals that OpenAI’s top official, Nick Turley, shall testify for ChatGPT as a witness. His selection is strategic, as per Google’s legal representatives.
The hearing schedule for Mr. Turley and the details of his interrogation about generative AI’s association with Search Access Points, distribution, entry and expansion barriers, and data exchange is not disclosed in the filings.
Notably, ChatGPT launched its AI search browser in October 2024. A search access point (referred by the DOJ) relates to products like Google Chrome used for web surfing.
Ahead of Turley’s testimony, Google has subpoenaed OpenAI for case-relevant documents. However, the two parties are now disagreeing regarding the required evidence extent.
On January 16, Google criticized OpenAI for submitting minimal documents. OpenAI’s legal representatives countered the allegations stating that Google’s demand for additional documents from top officials is sheer harassment.
OpenAI agreed to some extent and pledged to deliver documents related to OpenAI’s AI products strategy, AI integration into search-related products, and its partnership with Microsoft from Turley’s work files.
Google insists on wider document coverage from various executives, claiming that reliance solely on Turley’s documentation might prejudice Google. The tech giant also demands documents dated before the ChatGPT launch in November 2022 to possibly challenge Turley’s testimony on entry barriers. However, OpenAI denies this request as it believes older documents do not accurately reflect the current AI scenario.
Now, OpenAI has requested the court to dismiss Google’s broad evidence request. Both companies did not comment on the ongoing tension, and the DOJ also refrained from making any statements.
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