According to updated information, Apple's senior leaders have discussed internally the possibility of buying back Perplexity AI - an emerging artificial intelligence (AI) startup with a web search platform in the form of a dialogue. If it comes true, this will be the largest buyback in Apple's history.
The discussions are said to be still in the early stages and uncertain to lead to an official proposal, but the idea has been raised between the head of M&A Adrian Perica, the leader of the Eddy Cue service department, and Apple's top AI leaders.
Perplexity has just completed a new round of funding, valued at $14 billion, far exceeding Apple's 2014 $3,000 billion deal to buy Beats.
The acquisition of Perplexity will give Apple a team of AI talents, a brand known in this field, and a user-oriented product. The deal could also help Apple attract talent later.
The source said that Apple has had many meetings with Perplexity in the past few months and internal AI teams are actively evaluating the startup's technology.
If Apple does indeed make this deal, it will be a strong signal that it does not want to be left behind in the increasingly fierce AI race. Although there is no guarantee, Apple's proactive approach to potential AI companies shows that the "Invalids" strategy is clearly shifting from internal development to heavy investment to catch up with rivals such as OpenAI, Google or Microsoft.
With AI technology reshaping the way users access information, Apple clearly cannot stay out of the game.
