A new name is making waves in the world of search and AI-powered information discovery — Perplexity AI. Dubbed the “next-gen search engine,” Perplexity is gaining global traction for offering real-time, conversational answers to complex questions, and Kenyans are quickly taking notice.
Here’s everything you need to know about the platform that’s quietly challenging Google and ChatGPT.
💡 What is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI is an AI-powered search engine and answer engine built to deliver fast, accurate, and cited responses to user queries. Unlike traditional search engines that provide a list of links, Perplexity gives you direct answers in a conversational format — often with citations and sources included.
It uses advanced natural language processing and is powered by some of the most sophisticated large language models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Anthropic’s Claude.
🧠 What Makes It Different?
✅ Real-Time Web Access – Perplexity browses the internet to give you the most current answers, often citing articles published just minutes ago.
✅ Conversational Mode – You can ask follow-up questions, dig deeper, or clarify your query, similar to chatting with an assistant.
✅ Cited Sources – Every response includes clickable links to the original sources, making it easier to verify and explore further.
✅ No Ads, No Clutter – The interface is clean, minimalist, and focused solely on getting you accurate answers—fast.
🌍 Why Is It Trending in Kenya?
Kenyan creators, students, researchers, and business owners are turning to Perplexity for tasks like:
- Summarizing news and academic papers
- Getting quick answers for schoolwork or content creation
- Researching business and tech trends
- Learning how to use AI tools in practical ways
“Perplexity saves me hours of Googling,” said Kevin Otieno, a Nairobi-based digital marketer. “I use it daily to generate insights, write briefs, and find reliable sources fast.”
📈 Explosive Growth
In 2024, Perplexity surpassed 10 million monthly users, and its growth continues to accelerate in 2025. Backed by major investors including Nvidia and Jeff Bezos, the platform is now being seen as a potential competitor — not just to search engines like Google, but to AI assistants like ChatGPT.
🛠️ Use Cases for Kenyans
- Students: Get research summaries, references, and academic support
- Content Creators: Speed up content ideas, outlines, and fact-checking
- Professionals: Quickly analyze industry trends or summarize long documents
- Entrepreneurs: Use Perplexity to brainstorm, study markets, and validate ideas
⚠️ What to Watch Out For
While powerful, Perplexity is still evolving. Some information may lack full context, and there’s a risk of over-reliance. Experts recommend always reviewing cited sources before making decisions based on AI-generated content.
Final Word
Whether you’re a student in Eldoret, a journalist in Nairobi, or a business owner in Mombasa, Perplexity AI is changing the way Kenyans find, use, and trust information online.
With its ability to blend conversational AI and real-time web search, it’s not just another tool — it’s the future of search.
