AI&YOU #32: Perplexity.AI Overview: How the company is crushing Google in Generative Search

Stat of the Week: Perplexity AI attracted 40.35 million visits in October 2023, with an average session duration of 21:58

In this week’s edition, we are kicking off Skim AI's new series on generative AI company profiles.

This series will be ongoing throughout the next few months.

We couldn't think of a better company to start with than Perplexity AI:

• What is Perplexity AI? The King of Generative Search

• Perplexity AI Will Dominate Google in the Future of Search

• 10 Must-Know Stats and Facts About Perplexity AI

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AI&YOU#32: Our profile of Perplexity - the company that outshines Google in search

Leveraging advanced technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), Perplexity AI has emerged as a vital tool for delivering accurate and comprehensive answers across a diverse range of user queries. At its core, Perplexity AI employs advanced algorithms that interpret and respond to a wide range of user queries with remarkable accuracy. A key component of the platform's success is its integration of OpenAI's GPT technology. This large language model enables the search engine to understand and generate text that closely resembles human conversation, making it exceptionally capable of handling complex, nuanced inquiries. Whether it's sifting through the latest news, diving into academic research, or exploring niche topics, Perplexity AI's technology ensures users receive answers that are not only relevant but also contextually rich.

How Did Perplexity AI Start?

Perplexity AI's journey began in 2022, birthed from the collective vision of four dynamic individuals: Andy Konwinski, Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho. United by their shared experiences at Google AI, where they contributed to the development of large language models, these founders were driven by a common frustration — the challenge of effectively accessing and utilizing the vast knowledge encapsulated in these models.

Who is the CEO of Perplexity AI?

At the helm of Perplexity AI is CEO Aravind Srinivas, a figure renowned for his strategic leadership and deep-rooted passion for technology, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Aravind's role at Perplexity AI goes beyond mere leadership; he is the driving force behind the company's innovative approach to AI-driven search technology. Aravind's academic background, which includes a PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, has been fundamental in shaping his expertise in AI. His career trajectory, marked by experiences at notable tech giants like OpenAI, DeepMind, and Google, reflects his proficiency in employing AI and machine learning algorithms to address complex technological challenges. As the CEO of Perplexity AI, Aravind's vision is central to the company's mission of revolutionizing information access through AI. His approach combines a strategic understanding of AI's potential with a practical focus on its application in enhancing search engine capabilities.

Top Features of Perplexity AI

What truly sets Perplexity AI apart in the landscape of generative search engines and chatbots are its great features:

1. Accurate and Comprehensive: Perplexity AI offers precise, detailed insights on a range of topics using advanced NLP and machine learning algorithms.

2. Real-Time Web Search: It provides instant access to the latest information and breaking news through real-time web searching.

3. Diverse Sources: The platform taps into various sources like academic journals and industry reports for well-rounded perspectives.

4. Advanced Language Models: Utilizes OpenAI's GPT technology for human-like text interaction and complex query handling.

5. Free and Accessible: Perplexity AI is a free, user-friendly platform, available online and as an iPhone app, broadening information access.

6. Transparent Source Citation: It cites sources for answers and encourages follow-up questions, ensuring transparency and reliability.

These features collectively make Perplexity AI a powerful and reliable tool for information discovery and sharing, setting a new standard in the AI-driven search engine domain.

User Guide for Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI is not just advanced in its technology; its user interface is also extremely simple to use, making it accessible to a broad audience. Here's how you can harness its capabilities for your research and learning needs:

Research Topics

Perplexity AI excels in conducting targeted research. For instance, if you’re interested in "the impact of renewable energy on global economies," input this query, and Perplexity AI will aggregate relevant and detailed information from a variety of sources.

Understand A Topic

This generative search tool is excellent for in-depth exploration of subjects. Visit the Perplexity AI website, enter a question like "What are some recent advancements in biotechnology?", and it will compile a list of sources, such as scientific publications and expert forums, for comprehensive understanding.

Generate An Outline

Planning an article or a presentation? Access Perplexity AI and ask it to draft an outline on a topic, say "the evolution of artificial intelligence in the 21st century." It will provide a structured list of subtopics, assisting in organizing the main points and supporting details, which is invaluable for methodical content development.

Get Citations, Research, or Sources

Perplexity AI is also instrumental in finding citations, conducting research, or sourcing information. Pose specific questions, for example, "What are some studies on climate change mitigation strategies?", and review the sources it presents. This feature is particularly useful for validating the credibility of information for academic or professional use.

Perplexity AI Will Dominate Google in the Future of Search

What sets Perplexity AI apart from Google is its ability to synthesize information from diverse sources, presenting users with a well-rounded answer. For instance, when a user inquires about the latest developments in renewable energy, Perplexity AI doesn't just return links or snippets of information. Instead, it generates a comprehensive response that encapsulates various aspects of the topic, such as technological advancements, policy implications, and market trends. This level of detail and breadth in generative search is unprecedented, making Perplexity AI a powerful tool for users seeking in-depth understanding of complex subjects. Perplexity AI will dominate Google in the future of search thanks to a few key points:

1. Conversational Generative Search and Source Transparency: Perplexity AI's conversational search model allows for natural, dialogue-like interactions, outperforming Google's keyword-based searches. This approach is ideal for complex queries and enhances user experience. Additionally, its commitment to source transparency, with footnotes and links to original data, builds trust and reliability, a stark contrast to the often opaque nature of traditional search engines.

2. Ad-Free User Experience: Unlike Google, which relies on an ad revenue model, Perplexity AI offers an ad-free user experience. This focus on delivering relevant, accurate information without ad interference ensures higher quality search results and a more satisfying user experience, prioritizing information integrity over advertising.

3. Direct Answers Over Links: Perplexity AI revolutionizes search by providing direct, comprehensive answers instead of just a list of links, as Google does. This feature is particularly advantageous for complex topics, offering synthesized responses that combine key findings, expert opinions, and statistical data, making research more efficient and productive.

The future of search is undoubtedly moving towards more conversational, transparent, and personalized experiences, and Perplexity AI is leading this transformation.

10 Must-Know Stats and Facts About Perplexity AI

This week, we also delve into ten must-know stats and facts about Perplexity AI. Make sure to read the full blog to learn more about each:

1. Perplexity AI Attracted 40.35 Million Visits in October 2023

2. Perplexity AI's Primary User Base Located in Indonesia, India, and Mexico

3. CEO Aravind Srinivas, Holds a Ph.D. from Berkeley

4. Perplexity AI Secured $500 Million in Recent Funding Round

5. Perplexity AI's Main Applications Include SEO Content Creation

6. Perplexity AI Serves a Diverse Range of Professionals

7. Perplexity AI Offers Both a Free Version and Paid Pro Plans

8. Perplexity AI Uses a Modern Version of PageRank

9. Perplexity AI Has an Incredibly Friendly User Interface

10. Perplexity AI is Aiming for a Generative Mobile Search Experience

These impressive Perplexity statistics and facts, from its substantial web traffic to its significant funding achievements, demonstrate the growing influence and potential of Perplexity AI. Its focus on providing accurate, context-rich answers, coupled with a user-centric design and a forward-thinking approach to mobile experience, positions it as a leader in the future of search.

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Thank you for taking the time to read AI & YOU! *Skim AI is an Artificial Intelligence consultancy that has provided AI Advisory & Development Services to enterprises since 2017. *Chat with me about Enterprise AI *For even more content on enterprise AI, including infographics, stats, how-to guide, articles and videos, follow Skim AI on LinkedIn PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE!