India's Youngest Billionaire on the Future of AI: A Conversation with Aravind Srinivas

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India's Aravind Srinivas, the 31-year-old founder of Perplexity, a $20 billion AI search startup, is challenging Google's dominance and redefining the future of technology. In an exclusive email interview, Srinivas shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, his vision for Perplexity, and his thoughts on the impact of AI on the global economy. Srinivas's journey began with a PhD, which he completed four years ago. He then launched Perplexity, with the goal of making the 'magic' of elite universities accessible to everyone through technology. The startup's popularity has brought new challenges, but Srinivas remains focused on his mission. One of Perplexity's most significant achievements is challenging Google's near-total dominance over search. Srinivas believes that it takes courage and conviction to take on a tech giant like Google, and that being a great founder requires having a strong mind, strong heart, and strong vision. As India's youngest billionaire, Srinivas has become a public figure, but he remains humble and focused on his work. He emphasizes the importance of the search for wisdom over wealth and believes that great wealth often follows great wisdom. The future of AI is exciting, with hundreds of millions of people globally integrating it into their lives and work. Srinivas predicts that AI will be broadly transformative, but also believes that humans will always matter to each other and that we will always ask more questions. Regarding economic anxiety around AI, Srinivas is optimistic, citing the ability of humans to adapt and advance through learning and education. He also highlights the importance of embracing new technologies, which can help us learn and increase our knowledge. In the context of the US-China rivalry in AI, Srinivas advises entrepreneurs to focus on their vision and not wait for a perfect geopolitical climate. He believes that innovation will continue to thrive regardless of regulatory environments. Perplexity has partnered with Airtel in India, which is a significant source of users for the company. Srinivas sees India as a country that values education and the search for wisdom, making it a natural fit for Perplexity's products. Regarding the Indian government's efforts to build a sovereign model for AI, Srinivas praises the country's willingness to ask questions and learn. He suggests that India's focus on education and the search for wisdom will continue to drive its success. Finally, Srinivas is not concerned about the buildup of an investment bubble in AI, as he believes that search has survived every bubble and that Perplexity's product is useful and valuable regardless of market conditions.