Photograph: Apple/Perplexity
Apple reportedly held inner discussions to accumulate AI startup Perplexity AI. The latter is an AI-powered search engine. It makes use of a big language mannequin (LLM) to course of the solutions and presents them in an easier-to-understand format.
The discussions inside Apple are seemingly at an early degree, and it could not even formally present a proposal to the younger startup.
Apple considers bid to accumulate Perplexity
A number of stories have highlighted Apple’s struggles with AI and Apple Intelligence. The long-overdue next-gen smarter Siri will now solely arrive in 2026 regardless of Apple initially showcasing it at WWDC24 final 12 months.
To enhance its AI services, Apple additionally rejigged its AI management administration. However buying an AI-focused startup is perhaps a greater choice for Apple. This might give it fast and quick access to extra AI expertise and know-how.
Bloomberg stories that Adrian Perica, the pinnacle of mergers and acquisitions, mentioned buying Perplexity AI with Eddy Cue and different executives concerned in Apple’s AI efforts. Nonetheless, the talks are within the early levels and should not materialize.
“Such a deal would assist Apple develop an AI-based search engine, a part of efforts to deal with the potential lack of a longstanding association with Google,” says Mark Gurman within the report.
Google pays Apple billions yearly to stay the default search engine on its units. However with this association underneath scrutiny by US regulators, it gained’t final lengthy.
Curiously, Apple’s SVP of Providers, Eddy Cue, talked about probably constructing AI-powered search in Safari in Might this 12 months.
Perplexity might quickly signal a cope with Samsung
Earlier this 12 months, Perplexity signed a cope with Motorola to ship because the default search engine on its units. Samsung can be reportedly near signing a cope with the startup to combine the AI search engine on the Galaxy S26 sequence subsequent 12 months. As a part of the deal, Samsung might even spend money on the younger firm.
If not an acquisition, Apple may signal an analogous cope with Perplexity. This might allow it to supply the AI-powered search engine as an choice in Safari.
