Telefónica's venture arm, Wayra, has announced its investment in Perplexity, a US-based startup that has developed an AI-driven search engine. Unlike traditional search engines that provide links, Perplexity uses advanced AI to understand query intent and deliver precise, contextualized answers in real-time through natural language processing.
Wayra's investment highlights Perplexity's unique proposition, which aims to revolutionize conventional search engines by allowing users to ask questions directly and receive clear, concise answers supported by a curated set of relevant sources. The platform features a conversational interface that enhances personalization and presents results with source listings, improving the accuracy and relevance of responses.
While the investment amount has not been disclosed, Perplexity has been actively securing funding and has reached a valuation between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. Earlier this year, it raised $63 million in March and $74 million in January, showcasing significant growth.
Wayra joins a roster of notable investors in Perplexity, including Nvidia and Jeff Bezos. Additionally, Telefónica has entered a global commercial agreement with Perplexity to offer preferential terms to its customers in Brazil, the UK, and Spain, with plans to expand to other countries.
Telefónica has also launched an exclusive living app for Perplexity on its Movistar Plus+ platform, allowing users with UHD decoders to interact with the AI search engine via voice commands, receiving real-time text responses displayed on screen.
Chema Alonso, Telefónica's Chief Digital Officer, emphasized that this investment aligns with Wayra's strategy to engage with leading tech markets and companies at the forefront of AI innovation. Perplexity's co-founder and CEO, Aravind Srinivas, noted that this investment validates their AI-driven approach and opens up exciting global expansion opportunities.