Perplexity AI introduces new features for paid customers

The artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced search engine Perplexity is introducing new features to improve the experience for paid users.

Perplexity is an AI search engine that sits at the intersection of ChatGPT and Google Search. It can provide summarised answers to queries along with links to sources for further information. Providing links to sources makes it more reliable and less likely to hallucinate answers to user’s queries.

One of the key features of Perplexity AI is its ability to search the web in real-time, ensuring responses are up to date, something that other AI chatbots cannot do. It also allows users to choose between different available large language models (LLMs) to power its chatbot.

The features, called Internal Knowledge Search and Spaces were announced in a blog post yesterday (October 17) and are aimed at enhancing the experience for enterprise users, providing more flexibility and teamworking options.

Perplexity Internal Knowledge Search

The ability to upload files and search through them has been part of Perplexity for some time, but until now users have had to choose between searching uploaded files and searching the web. Users with access to Internal Knowledge Search will now be able to search across uploaded files and the web simultaneously.

Perplexity’s Internal Knowledge Search interface. Image credit: Perplexity

Perplexity has provided some use cases from early user testing of the new feature:

• Financial services firms conduct more robust due diligence by tapping into internal research, call notes, and the latest industry news.

• Sales and business development teams accelerate the RFP process by combining past materials with the latest insights from the web.

• HR teams help employees quickly find answers about benefits and wellness by having them search existing files.

• Growth-stage startups get feedback on R&D and product roadmaps based on best practices from the web.

“Being able to carry out all your research — across both internal and external sources of data — in one consolidated knowledge platform will unlock tremendous productivity gains for every enterprise,” said Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity CEO.

Perplexity Spaces

Spaces is Perplexity’s new collaboration tool. Users can set up their Space and then invite collaborators. The Space can host files for easy access, and the manager can configure the AI Assistant to a preferred model for their needs. A manager can also set specific instructions for the AI Assistant to follow, configuring how it operates within the Space.

Enterprise Pro users will have their data automatically excluded from Perplexity’s AI training data. Pro users will have the option available to them but will need to opt-out manually.

Perplexity is also planning to add integrations with Crunchbase and FactSet for Enterprise Pro users who already subscribe to those services. The integrations will allow users to incorporate those services into their searches.

Featured image credit: Midjourney

The post Perplexity AI introduces new features for paid customers appeared first on ReadWrite.