Generative Now | AI Builders on Creating the Future
Johnny Ho: The Future of Online Search (Encore)
Mar 20, 2025
Johnny Ho, the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Perplexity AI, shares insights from his competitive programming background and experience at Quora. He discusses the shift to product strategy, emphasizing user intent in search technology. The conversation covers Perplexity's Publisher Program which allows content creators to earn from ads, challenges against giants like Google, and the future direction of online search models. Ho also highlights strategies for team innovation and the balance between growth goals and user engagement.
43:55
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Quick takeaways
- Johnny Ho's journey from competitive programming to co-founding Perplexity highlights the importance of user-centric product development in AI.
- Perplexity's innovative approach as an 'answer engine' aims to transform online search by prioritizing user intent and deeper engagement.
Deep dives
The Journey of an IOI Medalist
Johnny Ho shares his remarkable journey from being a top-ranked competitive programmer and IOI medalist to co-founding Perplexity. Achieving the status of an IOI medalist involves rigorous training and tackling complex coding challenges that greatly contribute to problem-solving skills in the tech industry. This unique background has allowed him to excel in product strategy and engineering roles, emphasizing the importance of understanding user perspectives in product development. The transition from technical work to strategic oversight is depicted as a natural progression, driven by a passion for product improvement and user experience.
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