(Image credit: Shutterstock) Perplexity AI is an AI-driven search engine and chatbot that uses large language models (LLMs) to answer user queries by drawing information from the web and providing cited sources within its responses.
Similar to ChatGPT Search , the model combines a traditional search engine with an AI assistant, delivering answers in natural language backed by references.
The startup was founded in 2022 by a team of AI and machine learning experts — Aravind Srinivas, Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho — in San Francisco, with the mission to "democratise access to knowledge."
The chatbot model aims for anyone to learn and explore topics by providing clear, concise answers instead of just links.
Backed by prominent investors (including support from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos), Perplexity has quickly emerged as a notable challenger in the Google-dominated search market.
As of mid-2024, it reportedly had around 15 million users and had answered hundreds of millions of queries Key points
Supported devices
(Image credit: Perplexity) Perplexity AI is designed to be accessible across multiple platforms to ensure users can engage with its AI-powered search and assistant capabilities on most devices. Here’s a breakdown of the supported platforms:
Web browsers : You can access Perplexity AI directly through web browsers on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones by visiting their official website, perplexity.ai . Chrome extension : If you prefer browser integrations, you can download the browser extension from the Chrome Web Store and use the AI’s features directly from in your browser. macOS : Perplexity has introduced a native application for macOS, requiring macOS 13.0 or later, available to download from the Mac App Store . You may like I just went hands-on with ChatGPT search on mobile — here’s why I’m ditching Google ChatGPT Search is my favorite AI innovation of 2024 — and it’s so good I’ve ditched Google Mobile : Perplexity offers an iPhone app , compatible with iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 13.0 or later. The app supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Users on Android can download the Perplexity app from the […]
What is Perplexity AI? — everything there is to know about the search engine and chatbot
