American artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has been in the news recently. Reports suggest that tech behemoths Apple and Meta have shown interest in acquiring the company. The news comes at a time when demand for hot AI startups is heating up.
Who is Aravind Srinivas?
The interest in Perplexity AI has also put the spotlight on its CEO and co-founder, Aravind Srinivas. The Indian-American computer scientist is making waves in Silicon Valley. Born in 1994, this 31-year-old IIT-Madras graduate has worked with some of the biggest names in artificial intelligence — OpenAI, Google Brain, and DeepMind. In 2022, he co-founded Perplexity AI.
What does Perplexity do?
Today, Perplexity is a fast-rising startup building an AI-powered conversational search engine. In an era where AI is transforming how we access information, Perplexity stands out with real-time, citation-backed answers. It has challenged traditional search engines like Google and pushed them back to the drawing board to rethink their models.
Also read/watch- Mumbai's property paradox: Most affordable in 15-years, yet too high
Apple eyes Perplexity: Report
Perplexity’s novel approach to search has made it a potential acquisition target for major tech players. According to Bloomberg, Apple, still figuring out its AI game, has held internal discussions about potentially acquiring Perplexity. They haven’t made a formal move yet, but the interest is real.
Meta deal not happening: Report
This report came just a day after another Bloomberg story revealed that Meta had already approached the startup. CNBC confirmed the talks but said no deal was finalised. One source called it “mutually dissolved”; another said Perplexity walked away.
Why is Perplexity in demand?
So why are two tech giants chasing this young company? Simple: talent and tech. The AI race is heating up, and Apple and Meta are under pressure to catch up with Microsoft, Google, and even Elon Musk’s X. Buying Perplexity could help them leap ahead, especially in conversational AI, which is key to building smarter assistants and search tools. And Perplexity isn’t just about tech, it’s also got top-tier talent.
And at the centre of it all is Aravind Srinivas. From Chennai to the heart of Silicon Valley’s AI boom, he’s fast becoming one of the most closely watched figures in the field.
