Perplexity AI: The $14B AI Answer Engine Challenging Google and ChatGPT
Perplexity AI launched its search engine in December 2022, using retrieval+generation tech and models like Sonar and GPT-4. By May 2025, it handled 780 million queries monthly, up from 3,000 on its first day. The company reached a $9 billion valuation after a $500 million round in December 2024. Perplexity offers a freemium model, publisher revenue sharing, and new products including a mobile assistant and AI-powered phone.