• Nvidia and Jeff Bezos-backed Perplexity AI said Thursday it plans to run ads on its artificial intelligence-powered search platform in the fourth quarter.
  • Last month, the AI startup launched a programme for publishers along with the first batch of partnerships, which plans to share revenue from interactions where the publisher’s content is referenced.

OUR TAKE
The major search engines have been experimenting with integrating AI into web searches since they first launched ChatGPT in November 2022, and analysts have been looking at AI-assisted searches as a threat to Google’s dominance in the sector since the AI boom began. However, the development of AI is of irreplaceable importance in driving social progress, it can improve quality of life and solve global problems.
— Iydia Ding, BTW reporter

What happened

Perplexity AI, the artificial intelligence startup that has been embroiled in controversy over media allegations of plagiarised content, plans to start advertising on its search app from the fourth quarter. Perplexity secured a new round of funding in April this year, valuing the company at more than $1 billion, double what it was three months ago. But the app’s growing popularity has highlighted concerns about the way the company displays content from other sources.

Last month, the AI startup, along with its first partners such as TIME, Der Spiegel and Fortune, launched a programme for publishers that plans to share revenue from interactions that reference publishers’ content.

Since April this year, Perplexity AI has raised $62.7 million from existing investors such as Nvidia, as well as new investors including Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and Altimeter Capital founder and CEO Brad Gerstner.

Also read: Is Perplexity AI good?

Also read: How Perplexity AI works: Unveiling the technology

Why it’s important

The major search engines have been experimenting with integrating AI into web search since ChatGPT was first launched in November 2022, and analysts have been viewing AI-assisted search as a threat to Google’s dominance in the sector since the AI boom began. Microsoft adopted OpenAI technology for its Bing search engine through early investment, while Google rolled out AI-powered summaries to the wider public at its developer conference in May.

It also means that with the help of automation and intelligent methods, a variety of different styles and effects can be tailored to better meet the individual needs of users and provide more desirable results. On the one hand, it improves efficiency with a high degree of accuracy and stability, and on the other hand, it is a milestone in technological advancement. The development of AI is of irreplaceable importance in driving social progress, improving quality of life and solving global problems.