Latest news with #AdrianPerica
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Apple weighs Perplexity AI acquisition, eyes AI-powered search alternative: Report
Apple Inc. is reportedly weighing the possibility of acquiring artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity AI, as the tech giant steps up efforts to enhance its generative AI capabilities and potentially reduce its reliance on Google for search services. According to sources familiar with the matter, Adrian Perica, Apple's head of mergers and acquisitions, has been engaged in preliminary discussions with services chief Eddy Cue and senior figures leading Apple's AI strategy, reported Bloomberg. While the deliberations possibly remain in their early stages and no formal offer has been tabled, the potential move reflects Apple's growing urgency to secure both advanced AI technology and top-tier talent. A deal with Perplexity could position Apple to develop its own AI-powered search engine, a strategic hedge as its lucrative, long-standing agreement with Google faces mounting scrutiny from US antitrust regulators. That partnership, which makes Google the default search engine on Apple devices, reportedly earns the iPhone maker an estimated $20 billion annually. However, its future remains uncertain pending the outcome of a major antitrust trial. As of now, Apple has not approached Perplexity's management directly regarding a takeover. Meanwhile, the AI firm stated it was unaware of any acquisition discussions. Apple, true to form, has declined to comment. Perplexity, valued at $14 billion following a recent funding round, offers real-time answers to user queries by drawing from current web data, positioning itself as a next-generation alternative to conventional search engines. Any deal approaching its valuation would mark the largest acquisition in Apple's history, surpassing its $3 billion purchase of Beats Electronics in 2014. The competition for AI talent is intensifying. Meta is also in advanced talks to recruit Daniel Gross, co-founder of Safe Superintelligence Inc. Apple, however, is attempting to lure Gross back into its fold. Gross previously sold his startup Cue to Apple in 2013, a move that played a key role in shaping Apple's early AI functionalities. His co-founder, Robby Walker, recently transitioned from leading Siri to spearheading an Apple initiative called 'Knowledge', which is focused on developing a ChatGPT rival using real-time internet data. Internally, Apple has held multiple technical discussions with Perplexity in recent months, evaluating its platform and capabilities. The company is also reportedly exploring the possibility of a strategic partnership instead of a full acquisition. One such option includes integrating Perplexity into Safari as a search engine alternative and embedding its features into Siri. Cue, who oversees Apple's services division, including iCloud and Apple TV+, previously acknowledged Perplexity's promise while testifying at the Google antitrust trial. 'We've been pretty impressed with what Perplexity has done,' he noted, adding that the future of internet search is increasingly being shaped by AI-driven solutions rather than traditional engines. (With inputs from Bloomberg)
Entrepreneur
7 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Apple Reportedly Exploring Acquisition of Perplexity AI in Strategic AI Push
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Apple has reportedly initiated early-stage internal discussions about a potential acquisition of Perplexity AI, according to multiple media sources. While the tech giant has not yet approached Perplexity's leadership directly, Apple's M&A chief Adrian Perica has allegedly discussed the possible deal with senior executives, including services head Eddy Cue and other key figures in its artificial intelligence (AI) division. The interest in Perplexity signals Apple's growing focus on strengthening its AI offerings, particularly in the search domain. If pursued, the acquisition could lead to the integration of Perplexity's AI-driven search capabilities into Apple's Safari browser. Such a move would mark a notable departure from Apple's current reliance on Google as the default search engine and could reshape the competitive landscape in consumer search technology. The discussions come amid a broader industry trend of tech firms ramping up investments in AI to gain a competitive edge. Apple recently unveiled "Apple Intelligence" as part of its iOS updates, underscoring its intent to enhance user experiences through generative AI. Other major players, including Meta, have also shown interest in Perplexity; Meta was reportedly considering an acquisition earlier this year. Meanwhile, the company has committed significant funds around USD 15 billion to partnerships like Scale AI. Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search tools that provide direct, summarised answers to user queries, has seen rising popularity as an alternative to traditional search engines. The company is backed by NVIDIA and recently completed a funding round valuing it at USD14 billion. This valuation places Perplexity among the top AI startups globally and highlights the increasingly high stakes in the generative AI sector.
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Apple eyes Perplexity acquisition? What's at stake for Google, Samsung
Apple is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of Perplexity AI, the US-based AI start-up. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Apple executives, including mergers and acquisitions head Adrian Perica, services chief Eddy Cue, and key decision-makers in AI, have held internal discussions about making a bid for the company. While there has been no confirmation from Apple, Perplexity told Bloomberg, 'We have no knowledge of any current or future M&A discussions involving Perplexity.' If Apple proceeds, the deal could give it a much-needed boost in AI talent, an established brand in the generative AI space, and a consumer-facing product. However, ongoing deals between Perplexity and other tech companies, notably Samsung and Motorola, could complicate the process. Bloomberg also reported that Meta attempted to buy Perplexity earlier this year. Here's a breakdown of what an Apple-Perplexity deal could mean for the companies involved: What Apple stands to gain from the Perplexity AI acquisition? A Perplexity acquisition would support Apple's efforts to develop its own AI-based search engine, a strategic move amid growing uncertainty around its lucrative deal with Google. Bloomberg reported that Apple currently earns an estimated $20 billion a year by making Google the default search engine in Safari, but that agreement is under scrutiny from US antitrust regulators. The potential acquisition also reflects Apple's wider push to catch up in the generative AI race. Despite unveiling its Apple Intelligence platform at WWDC 2024, the company remains behind competitors in core features. Siri's planned upgrade was even delayed earlier this year, with a revised rollout now targeted for next spring. By bringing Perplexity in-house, Apple would not only gain a robust AI product but also absorb a skilled team already working at the forefront of AI-powered search. The acquisition could further accelerate the development of next-gen Apple Intelligence capabilities. Samsung and Motorola partnerships at risk? Bloomberg previously reported that Samsung Electronics is close to finalising a major partnership with Perplexity. This would include preloading Perplexity's assistant and app onto Samsung devices and integrating its search technology into Samsung's native web browser. Talks have also involved incorporating Perplexity into Samsung's own voice assistant, Bixby. Samsung is reportedly aiming to announce these integrations as early as this year, potentially making Perplexity a default assistant option on its upcoming Galaxy S26 series. The South Korean giant is also expected to be a major participant in Perplexity's next funding round. Motorola already has an active partnership with Perplexity. On select Motorola smartphones, including the Edge 60 Pro, users can choose between Perplexity AI, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot as their default assistant. While there is no indication yet that these partnerships are under threat, they could present a hurdle if Apple moves ahead with an acquisition. Bloomberg also noted that Apple is weighing an alternative: partnering with Perplexity rather than acquiring it outright. Such a deal would involve integrating Perplexity's AI search into Safari and possibly into Siri as an additional intelligence layer. What Apple Perplexity AI Deal could mean for Google An Apple-Perplexity alliance, whether through acquisition or partnership, would be a clear challenge to Google's dominance on iOS devices. For now, Google Search remains the default on Safari, but a Perplexity-powered alternative could alter the balance of power, particularly if antitrust regulators force changes to the current arrangement. Separately, Perplexity's growing relationship with Samsung is another potential concern for Google. Although Google's Gemini AI is already integrated into Samsung's Galaxy devices, including being set as the default assistant, Samsung's collaboration with Perplexity suggests a shift toward diversifying its AI offerings. If Samsung deepens its partnership with Perplexity, it could mark a strategic move away from sole reliance on Google and toward supporting a broader AI ecosystem.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Apple 正考慮收購 Perplexity？也可能將該 AI 搜尋引擎直接整合到 Siri 中
據彭博社報導，Apple 目前正在考慮收購 AI 搜尋引擎初創公司 Perplexity。據稱公司併購負責人 Adrian Perica 已經與服務高級副總裁 Eddy Cure 及其他高層決策者討論了這一想法，但此事目前尚處於早期階段，Apple 並未發出任何要約。除了潛在的收購外，Apple 內部也有探討直接開發由 Perplexity 驅動的引擎方案，並將其整合到 Siri 當中的可能性。 此前在為 Google 的搜尋壟斷案出庭作證時，Eddy Cue 曾透露 Apple 有想過為 Safari 加入 Perplexity 的服務。如果監管方最終要求 Apple 終止與 Google 的預設服務合作關係，那 Perplexity 估計會成為熱門的候補之一。除此之外，若是 Apple 真的把 Perplexity 收入麾下，那吸納進來的 AI 人才也會為急需扭轉口碑的 Apple Intelligence 帶來不少幫助。 更多內容： AI 版 Google？Perplexity AI 每月查詢量達 7.8 億次，AI 瀏覽器快將推出 HKT 送 Perplexity Pro 免費一年試用！即睇換領資格 緊貼最新科技資訊、網購優惠，追隨 Yahoo Tech 各大社交平台！ 🎉📱 Tech Facebook： 🎉📱 Tech Instagram： 🎉📱 Tech WhatsApp 社群： 🎉📱 Tech WhatsApp 頻道： 🎉📱 Tech Telegram 頻道：
News18
7 days ago
- Business
- News18
Apple's AI Delay Might Have Made It Consider Buying This AI Startup: Know More
Last Updated: Apple is facing long delays with Siri AI so the company might be looking at other ways to get going against Google and OpenAI. Apple's AI struggle has stretched beyond one year since its AI features were showcased at the WWDC 2024 last year. And it seems the company is looking at exterior solutions to get its ambitions off the tracks which could involve buying another company which has readymade AI tools available from day one. Reports this week suggest Apple has internally considered bidding for Perplexity which is another AI company vying for a spot amongst Google and OpenAI. Bloomberg has quoted sources in its report which clearly highlights the situation over at the Apple Park in Cupertino. These talks have mostly gone through internally, and an actual bid or discussion with the AI company has not happened. Apple's AI Push: Buy Big The report claims Adrian Perica has discussed the deal with Eddy Cue at Apple along with other senior decision makers. It also says that Apple might eventually decide against making an offer but these details are showing us the company's intent to get started maybe using existing platforms rather than invest in building a new one. After all, Perplexity already has an AI assistant, a search engine and plans to build more effective AI tools. The AI company already offers some of these features for iPhone users, which Siri can only dream of right now. Apple is a trillion dollar valued tech giant, which means buying any company will come easy at least with regards to the money. But even if Apple decides to formalise its interest in buying Perplexity, how much would it possibly cost? The AI company will be aware of the desperation at Apple and decide to get the highest price possible, which could be well over $50 billion if not more. This is unlikely to be the last time we hear rumours about Apple strolling the cart looking for a solid product to buy. The company's senior executives were recently grilled in an interview by the Wall Street Journal and you can feel the uneasiness in their body language when Siri AI is brought up and how the AI race has become a tough nut to crack for the iPhone maker in the last 2 years. There is a reason why Apple decided to deal with both OpenAI and Google to bring their ChatGPT and Gemini AI tools to iPhone users, now it is time to see the company make a serious move for its own future in this battle. First Published:
