Aravind Srinivas: The Indian Tech Visionary Challenging Google and ChatGPT 

Aravind Srinivas, an Indian-origin tech visionary, is spearheading a major shift in AI-powered search through his company, Perplexity AI. Leaving a research role at Google, Srinivas co-founded Perplexity in 2022 with a distinct mission: to transcend traditional link-based results and ChatGPT’s uncited responses by delivering conversational answers backed by clear source citations.

This focus on verifiable accuracy fueled rapid growth, attracting over 30 million active users handling 780 million monthly queries. A pivotal May 2025 deal with Bharti Airtel granted 360 million Indian users free access to Perplexity Pro, dramatically expanding its global footprint and contributing to its current $18 billion valuation.

Despite acquisition interest from tech giants like Apple and Meta, Srinivas champions Perplexity’s independence, eyeing a potential post-2028 IPO. His journey—from overcoming academic hurdles at IIT Madras to leading a multi-billion dollar AI disruptor—showcases how prioritizing transparency and user trust is reshaping the future of information access, positioning Perplexity as a genuine threat to established players.

Aravind Srinivas: The Indian Tech Visionary Challenging Google and ChatGPT 
Aravind Srinivas: The Indian Tech Visionary Challenging Google and ChatGPT 

Aravind Srinivas: The Indian Tech Visionary Challenging Google and ChatGPT

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, few names have risen as swiftly as Aravind Srinivas, the co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI. What started as an ambitious alternative to traditional search engines has now become one of the most formidable competitors to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Search—and Srinivas’s journey from Chennai to Silicon Valley is as compelling as his company’s rise.  

From IIT Madras to AI Disruptor 

Born and raised in Chennai, India, Srinivas was initially steered toward engineering by his mother’s dream of seeing him at IIT Madras. Though he began in Electrical Engineering, his fascination with machine learning led him to teach himself Python and compete in Kaggle challenges, where he quickly made a name for himself.  

His talent earned him an internship under Yoshua Bengio, a pioneer in deep learning, followed by a PhD in AI at UC Berkeley. After stints at Google and OpenAI, Srinivas realized that traditional search engines were due for a revolution—one that prioritized accuracy, transparency, and conversational answers over endless links.  

Why Perplexity AI Stands Out 

In 2022, Srinivas co-founded Perplexity AI alongside Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski with a simple yet powerful premise: What if search engines didn’t just list websites but gave direct, well-sourced answers?  

Unlike ChatGPT, which often generates responses without citations, Perplexity combines AI with real-time web data, providing footnoted, verifiable answers. This approach has resonated with users tired of sifting through SEO-optimized pages or unverified AI hallucinations.  

Key Innovations Driving Perplexity’s Success: 

  • Conversational Search: Answers are concise, accurate, and backed by sources.  
  • Comet Browser: A voice-first AI browser designed for seamless web interaction.  
  • Enterprise & Publisher Partnerships: Revenue-sharing models to support content creators. 

The Airtel Deal & India’s AI Boom 

In May 2025, Perplexity struck a landmark deal with Bharti Airtel, offering 360 million Indian users free access to Perplexity Pro for a year. This move not only expanded its user base but also positioned India as a key market for AI-driven search.  

Today, Perplexity boasts:  

  • Over 30 million active users  
  • 780 million monthly queries  
  • A valuation of $18 billion (as of July 2025) 

Why Big Tech Wants Perplexity—And Why Srinivas Says No 

Despite acquisition interest from Apple, Meta, and Google, Srinivas remains committed to keeping Perplexity independent, with plans for an IPO post-2028. His vision? To democratize knowledge access while ensuring AI remains transparent and trustworthy.  

The Bigger Picture: AI’s Future in Search 

Srinivas’s journey underscores a broader shift in tech: Users no longer want just links—they want answers. As AI reshapes how we interact with information, Perplexity’s citation-based model could redefine the standards for accuracy and accountability in AI search.  

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Srinivas’s story is a testament to persistence, self-learning, and bold vision—proving that even in a field dominated by giants, innovation and integrity can carve out a new path.  

What’s Next for Perplexity? 

With Comet’s expansion, enterprise solutions, and global partnerships, Perplexity is poised to challenge not just ChatGPT but the very foundations of how we search the web. And at the helm is an Indian-origin founder who dared to reimagine the future—one query at a time.  

 

Aravind Srinivas isn’t just building another AI tool—he’s redefining how knowledge is accessed and verified in the digital age. In a world flooded with misinformation, Perplexity’s emphasis on sourced answers might just be the antidote we need.