Apple Considering Acquisition Of Artificial Intelligence Startup Perplexity AI

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Apple Considering Acquisition Of Artificial Intelligence Startup Perplexity AI

Wednesday, 25 Jun 2025

Apple is reportedly considering acquiring artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity AI to develop an AI-based search engine and expand talent in the technology field.

Reported by Bloomberg, as reported by Engadget on Sunday, Apple's Head of Mergers and Acquisitions Adrian Perica is said to have discussed the possibility of the acquisition with Apple's SVP of services Eddy Cue and a number of key executives involved in the company's AI strategy.

However, this discussion is still in the early stages. Until now, Apple has not submitted an official offer to Perplexity and it is not certain that it will end in an acquisition agreement. One other option that is being discussed internally is the possibility of forming a strategic partnership with Perplexity rather than buying it outright.

Another alternative plan is to develop an AI-based search engine powered by Perplexity's technology and integrate it into the Siri virtual assistant. Bloomberg noted that Apple has met with Perplexity several times in the past few months, although no final decision has been made.

Last May, Eddy Cue revealed in his testimony in court regarding the Google Search antitrust case that Apple had discussed the possibility of integrating Safari with Perplexity.

That’s because Apple has a multibillion-dollar deal with Google to make Google’s search engine the default on iPhones, a deal that could generate up to $18 billion in 2021.

If regulators order Apple to end that partnership with Google, acquiring Perplexity would be an alternative path that would allow Apple to develop its own search engine more quickly and independently. It would also strengthen Apple’s efforts to catch up in the artificial intelligence sector.

Apple, like Meta, is aggressively recruiting new AI talent. Apple is reportedly competing directly with Meta in an effort to recruit Daniel Gross, the founder of startup Safe Superintelligence Inc.