June 27, 2025 By: JK Tech
A relatively new AI startup is shaking things up in Silicon Valley, and it’s not the usual suspects like OpenAI or Anthropic. It’s Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine that’s emerged as a competitor in the AI field, drawing interest from big players such as Meta and even Apple.
According to recent reports from Bloomberg and The Information, Meta was in talks to acquire Perplexity earlier this year, around April or May. Though nothing came of the discussions, the move signals Meta’s ongoing push to stay competitive in the AI arena. Meanwhile, Apple has also reportedly considered acquiring Perplexity, though those conversations appear to be in early stages.
What Exactly Is Perplexity?
Perplexity started in late 2022 and markets itself as an AI-powered search helper. Picture it as a smarter, quicker Google that can summarize information. Rather than showing a list of links, it gives brief, source-linked answers to questions. Users can use it to browse or to conduct deep research, with options for “quick search” to get fast answers and “pro search” to explore topics further.
Beyond search, Perplexity users can ask the tool to perform more complex tasks, like as summarizing documents to creating travel plans or playlists. It even supports image generation and topic-based discovery pages, similar to what you’d find in ChatGPT or other modern AI apps.
While the basic version is free, unlocking all its features — like unlimited file uploads, more advanced AI models, and creative tools requires a subscription. The company is also working on a browser project called Comet.
Why All the Buzz?
Even though it faces tough competition from big names like ChatGPT, Perplexity has found its own group of fans and gained popularity among tech-savvy users. But people aren’t just talking about the tech; they’re interested in what Perplexity might mean for companies like Apple and Meta.
Both firms are racing to integrate more AI features into their flagship products. For Apple, that means giving Siri a long-overdue upgrade and enhancing AI capabilities in Safari. The company is already under pressure due to its massive deal with Google, which makes Google Search the default in Safari — a deal now under legal scrutiny in an antitrust case. If Apple needs a backup plan, Perplexity could fit the bill.
Meta, on the other hand, has been aggressively investing in AI talent and tools. The company recently poured money into Scale AI and brought its founder on board. It’s also offered astronomical signing bonuses to recruit engineers away from other AI leader companies.
If Meta adds Perplexity to its portfolio, it could help the company improve its AI search tools and boost products like Instagram, WhatsApp, and its AI assistant features. However, Meta’s AI moves haven’t been all smooth — its recent standalone AI app raised privacy concerns, and its next-gen Llama model has run into delays.
The Bigger Picture
For Apple and Meta, snapping up a company like Perplexity wouldn’t just be about catching up; it would be about leapfrogging into the next era of digital experiences. With generative AI poised to reshape how people search, learn, and communicate, whoever figures out how to best deliver AI-powered knowledge could define the next big shift, much like the web browser or the smartphone once did.
And that’s why all eyes, even from the biggest names in tech, are on this once-low-key AI search startup.
