Perplexity comes out with its own AI assistant and DeepSeek R1 integration

After the recent launch of OpenAI's Operator, it is now Perplexity's turn to come up with its own AI assistant. This smart assistant goes beyond just answering questions. It also performs tasks such as reserving a table at a restaurant, playing music through Spotify or YouTube, and ordering an Uber. With this move, Perplexity shows itself to be a major player in the AI market.

Perplexity AI assistant: more than just a search engine

For now, the new Perplexity Assistant is only available to Android users through the Google Play Store. What makes this AI assistant special is that it not only answers questions, but also performs actions. From making restaurant reservations to starting a playlist on Spotify, the possibilities are vast and practical. In addition, think about setting reminders, summarizing notifications or even translating screen texts in real time.

A unique feature of the assistant is maintaining the context of conversations. Are you searching for a restaurant first and then want to make a reservation right away? The Perplexity AI assistant quickly switches from search to action, without having to give instructions again.

Multimodal interaction: typing, speaking and visual input

Perplexity bets on a multimodal approach, allowing users to interact with the assistant not only through text or voice, but also to provide visual input. Using the camera, you can easily point to an object and instantly get important information. For example, you can visualize a book and ask for similar books.

DeepSeek R1 integration: searches with depth

In addition to launching the AI Assistant, Perplexity has added DeepSeek R1 integration into their Pro Search options. DeepSeek R1 allows users to do deep Web research, with the model also showing how it reaches certain conclusions. Pro users get access to 500 searches per day, while free users can do five. The service is currently available only in the U.S., but European hosting is expected soon.

In addition to DeepSeek R1, Perplexity Pro gives users the ability to switch between different AI models, including OpenAI's o1. Each model has unique strengths, allowing users to choose the most appropriate tool for their specific query. This flexibility makes Perplexity an attractive option for marketers who want to make strategic use of different models.

Can Perplexity stand out in the AI market?

With these new tools, Perplexity seeks to expand its position in the competitive AI landscape. Although the company does not yet have the same name recognition as big names like OpenAI, it has a growing number of active users (currently 15 million). Moreover, the list of investors, including Jeff Bezos and AI expert Yann LeCun, is a sign that the industry has confidence in their vision. The question remains: can Perplexity continue to stand out and create a niche within the AI market, or will it be swallowed up by other larger players? In any case, with the current strategy, they have laid a solid foundation for growth.

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