Apple’s Internal Talks on Acquiring Perplexity AI: Strategy, Reactions, and Implications
Apple Inc. has been holding internal discussions about potentially acquiring Perplexity AI, a fast-rising artificial intelligence startup known for its conversational search engine reuters.com reuters.com. According to Bloomberg’s reporting, Apple’s mergers chief Adrian Perica and services lead Eddy Cue have met with Perplexity’s team multiple times to evaluate the technology macrumors.com. These talks are still early-stage and no formal offer has been made – in fact, Apple has “not discussed a bid with Perplexity’s management” yet reuters.com. Nonetheless, the prospect is significant: Perplexity’s latest funding round valued it at around $14 billion, so an acquisition would be “by far the largest deal in the Cupertino company’s history, topping its $3 billion purchase of Beats” macrumors.com. Apple is reportedly contemplating this move both to bolster its AI talent and tech portfolio and to potentially offer its own AI-powered search engine in the future engadget.com reuters.com. Perplexity’s leadership says they have “no knowledge of any current or future M&A discussions” with Apple reuters.com, but the mere news of Apple’s interest has stirred excitement in the tech industry and even caused a dip in Google’s shares, underscoring the competitive ramifications phonearena.com.
