Indian Founder Takes on ChatGPT and Gemini: How Perplexity AI Is Disrupting Big Tech ( How Aravind Srinivas Is Shaking Big Tech with His Made-in-India AI )
The Rise of a Desi Disruptor
In the fast-moving world of generative AI, a silent revolution is being led not from Silicon Valley but from an Indian-origin brain: Aravind Srinivas, a 31-year-old from Chennai. His company, Perplexity AI, is quietly — and now rapidly — emerging as a direct competitor to ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
What started as a passion project by a PhD dropout is now a $1B+ unicorn, redefining how people interact with the web.
What Sets Perplexity AI Apart?
While OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini depend on pre-trained models, Perplexity AI integrates real-time internet search into every response. This allows it to:
Provide live, referenced answers
Avoid AI “hallucinations”
Mimic a real-time Google + Wikipedia + Chatbot hybrid
Add transparency with source citations on every answer
It is not just an assistant, but a truth engine—something Google started out as, and arguably lost along the way.
The Airtel Partnership: India’s AI Awakening
In July 2025, Bharti Airtel shook the Indian tech landscape by announcing a free 1-year subscription to Perplexity Pro for its broadband and postpaid customers. At ₹17,000 per user, the deal was monumental.
Within 48 hours, Perplexity AI became the #1 free app on Apple’s India App Store — beating even social giants like Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
Why this matters:
It’s India’s first mass AI rollout
Millions are now getting exposure to global-grade AI tools for free
Creates an AI-literate user base, from school students to entrepreneurs
Who Is Aravind Srinivas?
Aravind Srinivas’ story is classic Indian brilliance meets Silicon Valley grit.
Studied at IIT Madras
Dropped out of PhD program at UC Berkeley
Worked with OpenAI, DeepMind
Founded Perplexity AI in 2022 with a dream to build a better Google
He believes AI search must evolve beyond keywords and ads into a conversational, transparent experience.
His motto?
“We want to be the Google of the future — but with citations.”
The Battle With Big Tech
Srinivas doesn’t mince words about Big Tech's behavior. In a recent interview, he said:
If you do something innovative, OpenAI or Google will try to copy it. The only way to win is to move faster and stay independent.
Despite lucrative offers to sell, he’s committed to staying independent — a rare move in today’s startup world.
What’s Next: The Comet Browser
Srinivas and team are working on their next game-changer: Comet — a web browser with AI built-in.
Imagine:
Every page summarized
Instant explanations of jargon
Clickable facts with verified sources
It’s not just a tool. It’s a new way of surfing the web — personalized, interactive, and AI-native.
Why This Matters for India
Perplexity’s story is a proud milestone for India:
Indian-led AI company competing with the world’s best
Leveraging domestic telecom support for global rollout
Democratizing knowledge with vernacular AI access
With India’s massive internet population and rising digital literacy, this could be India’s AI decade.
Perplexity AI at a Glance
Name: Perplexity AI Founder: Aravind Srinivas (Chennai-born, ex-OpenAI, UC Berkeley dropout) Launched: 2022 Valuation: Over $1 billion Top Ranking: #1 Free App on India’s Apple App Store (July 2025) Partner: Airtel — Free 1-year Pro subscription (worth ₹17,000) Main Markets: India, USA, Europe Mission: Real-time, trustworthy AI answers with citations Next Product: “Comet” — AI-powered web browser
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