[order-matters]

how is it a conflict of interest for a google product to have a bias towards using google products?

As users we must hold some accountability. AI is aiming to substitute for humans in the workforce, and humans would get fired for recommending competitor products for use-cases their own company is targeting.

If we want a tool that is focused on the best interest of the public users, then it needs to be owned by the public.

[wrs]

"Conflict of interest" isn't exactly the right term. "Conflict of value proposition" perhaps? E.g., you're using Google search based on the proposition it will effectively find things for you, but that turns out to be not what it actually does.