Perplexity AI, founded in late 2022 by Aravind Srinivas and fellow AI engineers, is fast evolving from a niche conversational search tool into a major force shaping Silicon Valley’s next moves in artificial intelligence. Its rapidly improving contextual search, multimodal capabilities, and transparent citation framework have captured the attention of two tech heavyweights: Meta and Apple. Valued at approximately $14 billion following a significant funding round, Perplexity now processes over 780 million queries per month, reflecting explosive user growth near 15 million monthly active users. Its standout features—real-time sourced replies, image input support, and integration with leading LLMs like GPT‑4.1, Claude 3.5, Gemini, Grok, and Sonar—position it as an attractive alternative to traditional search models.
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Meta reportedly entered acquisition talks in April or May, aiming to supercharge its AI offerings and Meta AI assistant with Perplexity’s advanced reasoning and contextual search features. Meanwhile, Apple has been exploring its largest-ever acquisition, with internal discussions involving execs like Adrian Perica and Eddy Cue to integrate Perplexity into Siri, Safari, or even a standalone AI‑powered search engine. The appeal is clear: both giants urgently need refined conversational AI to stay competitive amid pressure from Google, OpenAI, and emerging rivals. Meanwhile, Perplexity’s transparent, cited, multimodal responses and pro-level tools—such as advanced “Focus” search modes and context-rich follow-ups—offer a strong foundation.
Still, these conversations remain confidential, and neither Meta nor Apple has made public offers. Perplexity officials have stated they have “no knowledge of any current or future M&A discussions,”. Assuming a deal moves forward, Apple may reduce its reliance on Google search revenue, while Meta could leverage Perplexity’s technology and talent to accelerate AI integration across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and its broader metaverse/hardware platforms. At stake is more than acquisition—it’s a strategic leap for AI leadership. By integrating Perplexity, either Apple or Meta could drastically improve their AI assistants, enhance user experience with transparent, context-aware answers, and challenge the dominance of ChatGPT, Google Search, and other generative AI platforms. Whether this unfolds as a takeover or tech partnership, it marks a critical pivot: big tech betting on a smaller startup to rewrite AI’s next chapter.
