Apple explores potential acquisition of AI search engine Perplexity

Apple is reportedly considering acquiring Perplexity, the popular AI-powered search engine, according to reports of internal discussions among senior executives. These discussions are still in early phases, and there is no guarantee a formal offer will emerge. Apple has declined to comment on the matter, while Perplexity says it is not aware of any ongoing or planned acquisition talks.

Apple's decision may depend on the outcome of the U.S. antitrust trial against Google, as it earns around $20 billion annually from its deal to make Google the default search engine on its devices. If the court invalidates this agreement, Perplexity AI could become a strategic alternative.

In recent months, Apple and Perplexity have reportedly held several meetings focused on the startup’s AI technology. If an acquisition goes through, Perplexity’s search capabilities could be integrated into other important Apple's services like Apple Intelligence, Siri, or Safari, which have received several criticisms for their poor implementation of AI features compared to competitors.