Aravind Srinivas faced disappointment from his mother when he was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley for his PhD instead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. However, this setback paved the way for a journey that led him to intern at OpenAI and Google’s DeepMind, both leaders in generative artificial intelligence (AI). These experiences allowed him to co-found Perplexity, a startup valued at $1bn that offers fast, Wikipedia-like responses to search queries. Despite his unassuming demeanor, Mr. Srinivas is ambitious and aims to compete with Google search, one of the most successful business models in history.
As a student of disruption, Mr. Srinivas reflects on how the engineer-led, innovative culture of OpenAI disrupted the research-focused, hierarchical environment of DeepMind. He identifies Alphabet, Google’s parent company, as having potential vulnerabilities that Perplexity can exploit. While some see Perplexity and similar generative-AI platforms as threats to Google, Mr. Srinivas believes that these arguments miss the mark and the true potential for disruption in the industry.
Mr. Srinivas draws parallels to Clayton Christensen’s “The Innovator’s Dilemma,” explaining how disruptive technologies can challenge established industries and create new opportunities for innovation. He believes that Perplexity has the potential to revolutionize search by offering faster and more accurate responses to queries. With its cutting-edge technology and ambitious goals, Perplexity is poised to take on some of the biggest names in AI and change the way we search online.
Despite facing challenges along the way, Mr. Srinivas remains committed to his vision for Perplexity. He sees himself as part of a new generation of entrepreneurs who are using AI to transform industries and create new opportunities for growth and innovation.
In conclusion, Aravind Srinivas’ journey from disappointment to success is a testament to perseverance and innovation. With his valuable experience working with leaders in AI and his ambitious goals for Perplexity, he has positioned himself at the forefront of a new wave of disruption in technology. As he continues to push boundaries and challenge established norms in search engine technology, Mr. Srinivas is sure to make an impact on the future of AI.
