Apple Should Buy Perplexity AI to Supercharge Siri

[benroberts3]

Let’s be honest—Siri has been playing catch-up for years. While Apple’s virtual assistant was groundbreaking when it launched in 2011, it hasn’t kept pace with AI advancements from Google Assistant, ChatGPT, or even newer players like Perplexity AI.

With Apple doubling down on artificial intelligence, acquiring Perplexity AI could be the smartest move yet to make Siri truly useful in 2025 and beyond. Here’s why:

1. Perplexity Fixes Siri’s Biggest Weakness: Answering Questions

Siri’s default response to most complex questions is still “Here’s what I found on the web”—which isn’t exactly helpful. Perplexity AI, on the other hand, delivers direct, well-researched answers with sources cited—no need to dig through links. Imagine asking Siri a question and actually getting a real answer instead of a web search result.

2. Smarter Search Across Apple’s Ecosystem

Apple’s ecosystem thrives on seamless experiences. Perplexity’s AI-powered search could enhance Spotlight, Safari, and even Apple Maps, making them more intuitive and accurate. Siri could finally become a real-time knowledge engine rather than just a glorified voice command system.

3. AI-Powered Privacy – The Apple Way

Unlike OpenAI and Google, Apple prioritizes on-device processing and user privacy. If Apple were to integrate Perplexity, they could adapt its AI models for on-device intelligence, ensuring queries stay private while still delivering powerful, real-time results.


4. Apple Needs to Keep Up in the AI Race

Microsoft has integrated ChatGPT into Windows, Google has Gemini, and OpenAI is launching AI-powered search tools. Apple, despite its massive influence, risks falling behind without a major AI-driven leap for Siri. Acquiring Perplexity would instantly boost Apple’s AI credibility and bring it closer to offering a truly smart assistant.

Would Apple Actually Do It?

Apple is known for acquiring AI startups quietly (Turi, Xnor.ai, Laserlike), but Perplexity AI is already making waves in the AI search space. If Apple doesn’t act fast, another tech giant might scoop them up first.


With WWDC 2025 likely to focus on AI advancements, a Perplexity acquisition could be the surprise announcement that changes everything for Siri and Apple’s AI ambitions.

 

[chabig]

I would prefer that Apple not choose any specific AI. Put appropriate hooks into the OS so the user can choose an AI from among many, like we can select search providers.

 

[HouseLannister]

Isn’t Perplexity just an AI-powered search engine using other companies AI models? That purchase alone would not get Apple anywhere near their goals.

 

[TgeekB]

No thank you

 

[russell_314]

I would prefer that Apple not choose any specific AI. Put appropriate hooks into the OS so the user can choose an AI from among many, like we can select search providers.

This seems like the most reasonable approach, but I’m not sure if it’s doable. I’m not a programmer but for AI to be able to control OS level things, the hooks would seem to be security issues. For the AI to do all the things it could do you’re giving it complete and total access to all your data and functions on the device. If somehow that was compromised, it would be quite scary.

 

[noanker]

I should hope not.

I'd rather Apple continue to resolve the Apple Intelligence problems and create their own, in-house product that is uniquely Apple. If they get back to basics, I believe it can be done.

Purchasing another AI company, particularly one whose existing product performs spectacularly, is in my opinion, not the way to go.

 

[Zest28]

Why should Apple buy a company that is based on stolen copyrighted content? This whole AI bubble is a huge lawsuit waiting to happen.

If I start a streaming service based on illegal copyrighted content, Apple is not going to pay me either even though it might be better than Apple TV.