Samsung Partners with Perplexity AI to Enhance Devices with Advanced Search Technology

Samsung Electronics is reportedly finalizing a comprehensive partnership with Perplexity AI, an artificial intelligence startup, to integrate advanced AI search technology into its devices. This collaboration aims to diversify Samsung's AI capabilities and reduce its reliance on existing partners.

The partnership includes preloading Perplexity's app and assistant on upcoming Samsung devices, embedding its search features into the Samsung Internet browser, and enhancing the Bixby virtual assistant with Perplexity's technology. These integrations are expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series, slated for release in the first half of 2026. Additionally, Samsung plans to invest significantly in Perplexity AI, participating in a funding round that values the startup at $14 billion.

Perplexity AI, founded in August 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, is a web search engine that utilizes large language models to process queries and synthesize responses based on real-time web data. The platform offers a conversational approach, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and receive answers with citations from internet sources. Since its launch on December 7, 2022, Perplexity has expanded its offerings to include a Google Chrome extension and mobile applications for iOS and Android. As of June 2025, the company was valued at $14 billion and employed approximately 700 individuals, with its headquarters in San Francisco, California.

This collaboration signifies Samsung's strategic intent to diversify its AI partnerships and reduce reliance on existing collaborators, such as Google's Gemini model. By integrating Perplexity's technology, Samsung aims to create a more independent and robust AI ecosystem, potentially enhancing user experience and differentiating its products in a competitive market.

Perplexity AI has experienced rapid growth, with monthly usage and revenues increasing seven-fold since early 2024. The platform handled 250 million queries in a month, compared to 500 million in all of 2023. Despite this success, Perplexity has faced criticism from major media outlets, including Forbes and the BBC, over allegations of content scraping and copyright infringement. The BBC has threatened legal action, alleging that Perplexity used its copyrighted content without permission, leading to factual inaccuracies in AI-generated responses.

The integration of Perplexity's AI technology into Samsung devices could significantly influence how users interact with their smartphones and access information. By offering an alternative to traditional search engines, this partnership may challenge the dominance of established players like Google, potentially leading to a more diversified and competitive AI search market. However, concerns regarding data privacy, content accuracy, and intellectual property rights remain pertinent, especially given Perplexity's history of legal challenges.

Samsung's impending partnership with Perplexity AI marks a significant development in the tech industry, highlighting the evolving dynamics of AI integration in consumer electronics. While the collaboration promises enhanced user experiences and a more diversified AI ecosystem, it also brings to the forefront critical discussions about data privacy, content ownership, and the responsibilities of AI developers in the digital age.