From searching up current news to confusing math problems, Google has always been on top of it. But Perplexity, the newest talk in the field of artificial intelligence, is emerging with its advanced search skills and quick responses. Researchers have been working at the San Francisco headquarters on enhancing the search skills of this state-of-the-art search engine and their hard work is finally paying off. Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that allows personalized search results through data accumulation. This is a moving factor for various search engines in the race for the top. Perplexity, however, is an extremely competitive contender in this particular race.
Perplexity is unique in a variety of ways. Aravind Srinivas, founder and CEO of the company, aimed for the search engine to present search results in a quick and efficient way, a long-lost advantage that Google once provided, according to Forbes. Instead of having to enter simple words, Perplexity allows users from all around the world to attain concise answers by writing out the question with this AI-backed search engine. With just a few keystrokes, one will be able to find links directing users to accurate results and also a summary at the bottom of the page, summarizing the information of all the links presented in just a few seconds. From its accurate search results to individual search experiences, Perplexity doesn’t fail to amaze its users with its newfound developments.
Despite Perplexity’s success, it also requires improvement in some facets of its search ability. Being an AI, it cannot understand every inquiry a user asks and sometimes results in inaccurate results or searches. Furthermore, it cannot answer ambiguous or subjective questions for it merely relies on its data resources. Perplexity is currently working on furthering its capabilities by improving the search engine’s comprehension alongside a larger range of data collection.
So how, exactly, does this new AI work? Perplexity distinguishes itself from another AI that has been successful in gathering the attention of people, namely OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Perplexity AI believes that it should be differentiated from other artificial intelligence machines for it does utilize artificial intelligence, but it also has additional features such as search engine optimization. Even though these claims may be accurate, the developments behind the AI are relatively similar. Both those artificial intelligences branch out from an LLM model (Large Language Model), the very basis of AI’s ability to be able to communicate with people. An LLM model is a type of AI with deep learning embedded into its system in order to conduct the necessary research and data searches. Additionally, Perplexity uses OpenAI’s chatbot interface, therefore making the two programs extremely similar.
As Perplexity continues to grow, numerous companies and investors are helping to fund this ongoing project. Notable investing sources include Jeff Bezos and Nvidia, supplying $73.6 million for expansion on the large-scale project, according to The Economic Times. Thanks to these funds, Perplexity is now valued at $520 million and is rapidly growing financially. Perplexity itself is completely free to use unless an upgrade to a Pro Perplexity account is desired. If so, the price is $20 a month, the same amount as ChatGPT Plus. The difference between a regular Perplexity account and a Pro Perplexity account is that Pro Perplexity offers an AI upgrade, unlimited file uploads, and a feature called Copilot, where the AI talks to users in order to provide an in-depth response.
Unlike the definition of “perplexity,” which means “a state of confusion or a complicated and difficult situation or thing” according to Cambridge English Dictionary, Perplexity AI aids users in solving any inquiries they may have in a simple and concise manner through a connection of data. The continuation of technology evolution encourages room for more nuances of the task of AI, leaving people eager to learn about its intriguing possibilities.
