The Times Tech Podcast Perplexity CEO on Chrome, AI and challenging the tech giants
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Aug 22, 2025 
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, discusses his daring $35 billion bid for Google Chrome and whether it’s a serious challenge to tech giants or merely a PR stunt. He envisions a reimagined internet experience using AI, aiming to ease user interactions and enhance engagement. The conversation delves into the geopolitics of semiconductors, examining its impact on both the tech industry and global power dynamics. Srinivas showcases his ambitions in reshaping the digital landscape, pushing against monopolistic practices with innovative solutions.
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Curiosity-Driven Internet
- Aravind says the future web will empower curious, high-agency users with AI that removes mundane friction.
- He expects AI to delegate boring tasks so people spend time on what they truly enjoy.
Solve Problems, Not Competitors
- Focus on solving concrete user problems rather than aiming to 'replace Google' as a headline goal.
- Let market leadership be a side effect of building solutions that remove user friction.
Ad Economy Shapes Search Experience
- He argues Google is 'clunky' because its ad-driven architecture resists change.
- A new AI-first model can restore access to actionable knowledge rather than just organizing links.