Aravind Srinivas, 31, runs Perplexity, a $20 billion AI search startup that is boldly challenging Google’s near-total dominance. Srinivas, who was recently listed as India’s youngest billionaire, is gaining attention as one of the hottest founders in the technology world. In an email interview, he reflects on his journey from academia to building one of the world’s most valuable startups, discusses the courage it takes to take on tech giants, his philosophy on wealth and wisdom, and his views on transforming the global economy with AI. Edited excerpts.
Four years ago, you were finishing your Ph.D. You’re currently running a $20 billion startup. That must be quite a change. How do you feel looking back on your journey over the past few years?
Working as an academic means constantly asking new questions and striving to publish answers. but why? The reason for doing this is so that in the future, new researchers can find your work and keep asking new questions. Because the quest for wisdom is greater than anyone else’s. It’s forever. That’s why we ultimately built Perplexity. How can we use technology to make the magic happening at elite universities accessible to everyone?
It worked. Perplexity is more popular than I ever imagined. However, it comes with all sorts of challenges. Every day I run the biggest company I’ve ever run, because we’re bigger than we were yesterday. It turns out that most people who criticize what you’re doing haven’t done anything themselves. So who cares? This is one of the differences between a founder and a business owner. As a founder, if anyone else on the planet had your idea and commitment, they would have already built it. But they didn’t. So why listen to other people’s opinions on what you should do? You have to trust yourself, be tough, and get better and smarter every day.
2. One of the most interesting things Perplexity has done is challenge Google’s near-total dominance in search. Can you tell us a little about your plans for Perplexity and what it takes to take on an industry giant like Google, which you decided to do at the age of 27?
It takes courage and belief. VCs will give you money for anything unless you say you’re going to compete with one of the biggest companies on the planet. So while you need to show them a good product, you also have to show yourself to be tough, dedicated, and capable.
Again, this is the difference between a business owner and a founder. To be a great manager and lead a trillion dollar company, you must have a strong heart. To be a great founder, you need courage: a strong heart, a strong heart, and a strong vision. You have to see things that others don’t see, and you have to be able to communicate why it’s important. What I saw was that Google needed a challenger and that was outdated. How will technology advance if no one has the courage to try?
3. You were recently recognized as the youngest billionaire in India. Part of the change over the last few years has probably been the realization that you’ve become a public figure. What do you think about the challenges that come with such fame?
I don’t think about it. I live a simple life and focus on work, which brings me joy. When people think about their fame or money, they are nearing the end of their journey. I’m just getting started. Perplexity has been around for three years, and we continue to learn and improve every day. When people ask me what Perplexity is for, I remind them that the quest for wisdom is more important than the quest for wealth. I follow the same philosophy with my career. Fortunately, great wealth usually follows great wisdom, but the reverse is rarely the case.
4. We have reached a point where hundreds of millions of people around the world are integrating AI into the way they live and work. In terms of how AI will transform the way we live and work, where do you think AI will go in the next five years?
AI will be far-reaching and transformative in ways we cannot yet imagine. It might be easier to ask, “What hasn’t changed?”
First of all, I think we still value each other. AI companions may be popular now, but connections with people are very important.
Second, I think we always ask more questions. The more we can learn from AI, the better. Because there will always be questions that AI cannot answer, and we will answer them. That’s how the world progresses. It’s a scientific process. Humans as a species are extremely curious.
5. There is also a lot of economic anxiety around AI, especially in a country like India. However, there are many predictions about how AI will bring about transformative growth. On the other hand, there are also concerns about job losses. Do you have your opinion on this?
Every major change in history has created this fear, but we always adapt and move forward. how? It’s always the same, through learning. education. By increasing your knowledge, you can do more. New automation technologies come with the risk of temporary job losses, but we have proven throughout history that we adapt and do more. The only difference this time is that the technology that changes the world is also very good at helping us learn. So I’m optimistic.
6. Today, the United States and China seem determined to clash over the dominance of cutting-edge technologies, especially AI. It obviously impacts the way we do business. Do you think these geopolitical battles over technology are having a negative impact on innovation?
If you wait for the perfect geopolitical climate or economic conditions to form a company, you’ll be waiting forever. Better get to work and focus on your vision. that’s what we’re doing.
Our vision is that accurate AI will become increasingly important to fueling the world’s curiosity. This vision works well in any regulatory environment, so we don’t have to spend time worrying about politics.
7. You have made a big bet on India through your partnership with Airtel. India is also a big source of users for you and other players like OpenAI. How do you plan to play in India in the next few years?
India is a special country for me personally. The reason is obvious. But as a company, we say, “Here is a country that sees the world the same way we do.” In other words, India values education and the search for wisdom. Everything we make is based on the same philosophy, so it’s no wonder our products are popular there.
8. What do you think about the Indian government’s efforts to build a model of Indian sovereignty and generally position India as a real player in AI? What could India do better?
Your question speaks for itself. You say, “What can India do better?” I think what India is doing wonderfully is asking that question. Because you never stop asking that question. And that is the key to success as individuals, companies and countries. If you always ask yourself what you can do better, try and learn, you will always get better.
9. Given the accumulation of investment bubbles in the AI sector and the huge amounts of money being spent on building data centers, for example, there is some concern about what a collapse in this sector would mean for the economy as a whole. What is your opinion?
Search has survived all bubbles, so we’re not worried. Our products can help. People use Perplexity to make money and use Perplexity to build products and companies. Perplexity makes them even smarter. All of this is important regardless of the bubble, and even more so after the bubble bursts.
