News Summary

Apple Inc. is reportedly considering acquiring Perplexity AI, a rapidly growing artificial intelligence search startup valued at approximately $14 billion. The acquisition could enable Apple to enhance its AI capabilities and reduce reliance on its current search deal with Google, which is under threat from U.S. antitrust regulators. Internal discussions have been led by Apple’s head of mergers and acquisitions, Adrian Perica, alongside services chief Eddy Cue and top AI executives. Though talks are still in early stages, a partnership to integrate Perplexity’s AI search engine into Apple’s Safari browser or Siri is also being considered. This potential acquisition is significant as it could surpass Apple’s previous largest acquisition, the $3 billion purchase of Beats in 2014. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms had also attempted to acquire Perplexity earlier this year, and Samsung is reportedly in talks for a potential partnership with Perplexity, which could complicate Apple’s plans.