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Perplexity Deep Research Tool Debuts, Challenging OpenAI and Google

Perplexity AI’s new freemium Deep Research product is shaking up AI, offering lightning-fast, expert-level insights across many industries.

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Perplexity Deep Research

TL;DR – What You Need to Know in 30 Seconds

  • Freemium Launch: Perplexity AI debuts “Deep Research” with a free tier, challenging pricey AI tools.
  • Lightning-Fast: Gathers and summarizes data from dozens of sources in minutes, mimicking a human researcher.
  • Strong Performance: Slightly trails OpenAI in some metrics but still outperforms many other AI models.
  • Market Disruption: Major funding fuels a direct challenge to Google and OpenAI, despite ongoing legal issues.
  • User-Driven Refinement: Encourages feedback to continuously improve accuracy, speed, and reliability.

Introducing the Perplexity Deep Research Tool

Well, folks, the AI research arms race just got a bit more interesting—and a lot more affordable. Perplexity AI has officially unveiled its new “Deep Research” tool, and it’s not just an incremental update. This is a full-on assault on giants like OpenAI and Google, all wrapped up in a lovely freemium bow.

Launched on 15 February 2025, Deep Research is designed to cut your time spent trawling the internet down to mere minutes. Whether you’re investigating market trends in finance, refining marketing campaigns, or just planning your dream holiday, Perplexity aims to do the legwork for you—dozens of searches, hundreds of sources, and a neat summary at the end. And best of all, it’s free for casual use, with a paid tier if you really want to ramp up your daily queries.

Key Features and Capabilities

One of the big selling points Perplexity emphasises is its iterative search and reasoning process, which is meant to mirror the thought process of a human researcher. Here’s the gist of what you get:

  1. Expert-Level Analysis
    Tackles finance, marketing, technology, health, product research, travel planning, and more. Essentially, it’s like having a mini think tank at your disposal.
  2. Automated Deep-Dive
    Performs dozens of individual searches, sifts through hundreds of online sources, and draws it all into a comprehensive report. So no more 30-tab chaos in your browser.
  3. Lightning-Fast Turnaround
    Delivers results in 2–4 minutes (under three minutes in most cases). Competitors like OpenAI’s Deep Research take 5–30 minutes for complex queries.
  4. Shareable Outputs
    Once you get your report, you can export it as a PDF or transform it into a Perplexity Page for easy sharing with colleagues or friends.
  5. Citations for Transparency
    Deep Research includes references and citations to its sources, so you can cross-check, trust, or verify any points. Great for academic or professional work where you need that extra layer of credibility.
  6. Iterative Refinement
    The system learns as it goes. It reads a chunk, decides what else it needs to look for, and continues to refine its approach until it’s satisfied it has a well-rounded view.

Pricing and Accessibility

According to Perplexity’s own website, the freemium model is turning heads. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Free Tier:
    Limited to around 5 Deep Research queries per day. Perfect if you just need the occasional deep-dive or want to give it a whirl before upgrading.
  • Pro Subscribers ($20/month):
    Access to 500 daily queries, a huge jump in usage allowance. That’s significantly undercutting some major players, like OpenAI’s $200/month plan.

In comparison to enterprise-level AI research tools (which can run up to $75,000 per month), Perplexity is practically handing out advanced AI research on a silver platter, at least from a cost perspective. The company’s strategy here seems to be a combination of “democratise AI research” and “force the big boys to rethink their pricing.”

Performance Benchmarks

Alright, so how does Deep Research stack up under the hood? Let’s get to the numbers:

  • Humanity’s Last Exam:
    • Perplexity’s Deep Research: 21.1%
    • OpenAI’s Deep Research: 26.6%
    • Google’s Gemini Thinking: 6.2%
    • Grok-2: 3.8%
    • GPT-4o: 3.3%
  • While Perplexity lags a bit behind OpenAI’s top-tier offering, it beats other well-known AI models by a fair margin.
  • SimpleQA Benchmark:
    • Perplexity’s Deep Research: 93.9% accuracy
    That’s pretty darn good, though critics note Perplexity uses live internet data for answers, whereas some other models rely purely on their trained knowledge.

So, yes, it’s not absolutely top of the tree on some metrics, but it’s definitely competitive—and far ahead of many alternatives.

Market Impact and Competition

This move puts Perplexity squarely on a collision course with OpenAI and Google, who’ve been jockeying for position in the advanced AI research space. It’s worth noting:

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  • Company Growth:
    Perplexity was founded in 2022 by ex-OpenAI researcher Aravind Srinivas. Rapid expansions, plus a $500 million funding round last December, have given it a staggering $9 billion valuation. Investors include heavyweights like Jeff Bezos and Nvidia.
  • Legal Hurdles:
    Perplexity is currently wrestling lawsuits from some media organisations over alleged unauthorised use of copyrighted articles. They’re seeking to mollify publishers with collaboration deals and revenue-sharing agreements, signing the likes of Time and Fortune.
  • Competition:
    Google is well-established, and OpenAI has name-brand recognition plus GPT’s massive user base, but Perplexity’s “high-value, low-price” approach could disrupt the market if it continues to deliver on speed and research depth.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the buzz, Perplexity’s Deep Research isn’t without its pitfalls:

  1. Accuracy vs Speed
    While 21.1% on Humanity’s Last Exam is solid, it’s still below OpenAI’s 26.6%. Perplexity’s big claim is that it outdoes many rivals on speed. But for critical, expert-level tasks, some users may still lean towards the highest possible accuracy.
  2. Ethical Concerns
    Like all AI research tools, there are worries about diminishing human critical thinking and potential reliance on “fast” answers over “deeply validated” insights. That’s an industry-wide conversation that won’t end soon.
  3. Ongoing Lawsuits
    The legal back-and-forth with major media outlets is no small matter. To remain fully legit (and maintain public trust), Perplexity will likely have to sign more licensing deals or refine how it sources content.
  4. User Trust and Adoption
    Breaking into a space dominated by OpenAI and Google is no walk in the park. Even if their product is fantastic, Perplexity needs to keep scaling its user base while handling the stress test that a wave of new users can bring.

Despite these challenges, Perplexity is forging ahead with expansions to iOS, Android, and Mac platforms, as well as continued refinement of its models. If they strike the right balance between accessibility, accuracy, and cost, there’s a good chance they can secure a sizeable share of the AI research pie.

Why Speed and Cost Matter in AI Research

The AI research sphere is going through a bit of a metamorphosis: big enterprise solutions can cost tens of thousands per month, yet more and more small businesses, freelancers, and academics also want access to advanced AI. By offering a freemium tier that performs at a near-competitive level with top-tier solutions, Perplexity is effectively lowering the barrier to entry for advanced research.

And speed? If you can get a comprehensive, properly cited report in 3 minutes rather than 30, that’s a massive productivity win. For time-critical fields like finance, health, or real-time marketing campaigns, it can be the difference between making the right call or missing an opportunity.

Potential Applications Across Industries

Perplexity is keen to emphasize how Deep Research can handle multiple verticals:

  • Finance: Collating market data, generating forecasts, and providing real-time financial analysis.
  • Marketing: Performing competitor analysis, consumer behavior insights, and strategic planning.
  • Technology: Deep dives into emerging tech trends, algorithmic benchmarks, and scoping out R&D projects.
  • Health: Acting as a personal consultant for health and wellness research (with obvious caveats that it’s not a medical professional!).
  • Travel Planning: From recommending itineraries to budgeting and flight/hotel comparisons.
  • Product Research: Assessing product features, user sentiment, and market viability.

Essentially, if you need to wade through lots of data quickly, Deep Research might be your new best mate.

Accuracy, Trust, and User Feedback

Ensuring Accuracy

How does Perplexity aim to keep the nonsense and hallucinations to a minimum? They rely on a variety of strategies:

  1. Searching Hundreds of Sources
    It’s all about cross-referencing. If 90% of sources say “X,” the final answer probably leans that way.
  2. Trust-Based Ranking
    A PageRank-esque system that looks at source credibility, giving more weight to, say, reputable news outlets over random forums.
  3. Ongoing User Feedback
    Perhaps the most crucial: they allow users to flag dodgy info or provide improvements, using that data to retrain and refine the model.

Feedback Loop

Perplexity encourages a user-driven improvement cycle. Types of feedback they actively seek:

  • Accuracy Assessment: Point out any wrong or outdated info.
  • Source Quality: Let them know if a chosen source is questionable or irrelevant.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Tell them if the final report missed a critical subtopic.
  • User Experience: Interface or design tweaks that could smooth out the workflow.
  • Domain-Specific Nuances: For fields like finance or health, domain experts can highlight deeper complexities to refine the AI’s output.

This iterative approach helps Perplexity calibrate its models over time, building a more reliable system that better meets user expectations.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—Perplexity’s Deep Research is here, and it’s looking to shake up the AI research market by delivering swift, thorough, and fairly accurate results without the punishing subscription fees of some competitors. While it may not quite surpass OpenAI’s top-tier solution in raw accuracy, it’s coming close enough for most everyday use cases—and, in some respects, it’s leaving everyone else in the dust.

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The company’s growth, ambitious partnerships, and willingness to face legal and ethical questions head-on show that Perplexity is more than a flash in the pan. If you’re in finance, marketing, or tech, or simply a curious researcher wanting a user-friendly, budget-friendly AI tool, you might want to take Deep Research for a spin. It’s free, after all, so why not?

One thing’s for sure: with market leaders being nudged by smaller but nimble players like Perplexity, the AI research landscape will only get more interesting—and more competitive. Watch this space.

What do YOU think?

Will Perplexity’s freemium ‘Deep Research’ tool be the breakthrough that finally topples AI giants like OpenAI and Google, or is this just a temporary shake-up in an ever-evolving battlefield? Let us know in the comments below.

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10 Prompts to Inspire Your Team with ChatGPT

Want to inspire your team? Use these 10 ChatGPT prompts to energise, motivate, and foster collaboration for better results.

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Inspire Your Team with ChatGPT

TL;DR

  • AIAcademy.Asia: This series helps you master work skills with ChatGPT. In this article, we focus on inspiring and motivating your team.
  • ChatGPT can help you energise teams, recognise contributions, and promote collaboration and growth.
  • Includes 10 actionable prompts like “Kick off a new project with energy,” “Celebrate team milestones,” and “Promote growth and learning.”
  • Use these prompts to boost morale, foster teamwork, and lead with inspiration.

Lead with Inspiration Using ChatGPT

Inspiration is at the heart of effective leadership. A motivated team isn’t just more productive—they’re more innovative, collaborative, and driven to achieve shared goals. But keeping your team inspired, especially during challenging times, can feel like a daunting task.

ChatGPT can help you craft motivating messages, create a positive team culture, and spark enthusiasm for shared goals. With these prompts, you’ll learn how to inspire your team to perform their best and foster a sense of purpose in their work.

Quick Tips for Team-Inspiration Prompts

To get the best results from ChatGPT for inspiring your team:

  • Be Clear About Goals: Share your team’s objectives or current challenges for tailored suggestions.
  • Focus on Positivity: Request uplifting, solution-focused messaging to boost morale.
  • Customise for Context: Tailor prompts to your team’s unique dynamics, industry, or challenges.

Top 10 Prompts to Inspire Your Team with ChatGPT

1. Kick Off a New Project with Energy

Prompt: “Draft an email to energise my team as we begin [specific project]. Highlight the purpose, importance, and impact of their contributions.”

  • Why It Works: It sets a positive tone and builds excitement for the journey ahead.

2. Recognise Hard Work

Prompt: “Write a congratulatory message for my team acknowledging their efforts on [specific achievement]. Highlight how their work made a difference.”

  • Why It Works: Recognition boosts morale and reinforces a culture of appreciation.

3. Share a Vision

Prompt: “Write a motivational speech to share my vision for the team’s future during a quarterly meeting. Include goals and the impact of their contributions.”

  • Why It Works: It unites your team around a shared purpose and inspires commitment.

4. Encourage Creative Problem-Solving

Prompt: “Draft a message encouraging my team to brainstorm innovative solutions for [specific challenge]. Emphasise the value of their ideas.”

  • Why It Works: It fosters a sense of ownership and empowers creativity.

5. Motivate During Challenging Times

Prompt: “Write a motivational email to my team acknowledging recent challenges with [specific situation] and encouraging them to keep pushing forward.”

  • Why It Works: It helps your team stay focused and resilient during difficult periods.

6. Celebrate Team Milestones

Prompt: “Draft a message celebrating my team’s milestone of [specific achievement]. Include a note of gratitude and how it aligns with our larger goals.”

  • Why It Works: It reinforces the importance of progress and keeps the team motivated.

7. Highlight Individual Contributions

Prompt: “Write a personalised message for [team member’s name], recognising their outstanding contribution to [specific task or project].”

  • Why It Works: Individual recognition builds confidence and strengthens engagement.

8. Foster Collaboration

Prompt: “Write a message encouraging my team to collaborate more effectively on [specific project]. Include suggestions for open communication.”

  • Why It Works: It highlights the value of teamwork and creates a supportive environment.

9. Promote Growth and Learning

Prompt: “Draft a message encouraging my team to take advantage of upcoming professional development opportunities in [specific area].”

  • Why It Works: It shows you care about their growth and keeps them engaged.

10. End the Week on a High Note

Prompt: “Write a Friday message to my team reflecting on the week’s successes and thanking them for their hard work. Include an uplifting note for the weekend.”

  • Why It Works: It ends the week with positivity and leaves the team feeling appreciated.

Inspire Your Team with ChatGPT

Great leadership starts with inspiration. Use these ChatGPT prompts to craft messages that motivate your team, celebrate their successes, and encourage growth. With the right words and strategies, you’ll create a culture where everyone feels valued and driven to excel.

Have you used ChatGPT to inspire your team? Share your tips or experiences in the comments below!

  • We’ve already explored the Top 10 Prompts to Write Better Emails with ChatGPT—tap here to read that now.
  • Have a prompt of your own or a success story to share? Drop a comment below or connect with us on X/Twitter here. We’d love to hear how AIAcademy Asia is helping you level up. You can also sign up for our newsletter here.
  • Try these prompts on the free version of ChatGPT by tapping here.
  • Want to level up your AI skills in a more structured environment? Visit AIAcademey.asia to learn more.

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10 Prompts to Build Strong Vendor Relationships with ChatGPT

Want to strengthen vendor relationships? Use these 10 ChatGPT prompts to onboard vendors, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration.

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Build Strong Vendor Relationships with ChatGPT

TL;DR

  • AIAcademy.Asia: This series helps you master work skills with ChatGPT. In this article, we focus on strengthening vendor relationships.
  • ChatGPT can help onboard vendors, clarify expectations, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration.
  • Includes 10 actionable prompts like “Handle delays professionally,” “Propose a partnership expansion,” and “Request cost adjustments.”
  • Use these prompts to build trust, maintain professionalism, and create long-term partnerships with your vendors.

Strengthen Vendor Partnerships with ChatGPT

Strong vendor relationships are vital for ensuring smooth operations, cost efficiency, and mutual growth. Whether you’re negotiating terms, resolving disputes, or fostering collaboration, effective communication with your vendors builds trust and reliability.

ChatGPT can help you craft professional messages, manage expectations, and create a collaborative approach to vendor partnerships. With these prompts, you’ll learn how to build strong, productive relationships with your vendors that stand the test of time.

Quick Tips for Vendor-Management Prompts

To make the most of ChatGPT for managing vendor relationships, follow these tips:

  • Be Clear About Objectives: Share your expectations and desired outcomes to receive tailored suggestions.
  • Focus on Collaboration: Use prompts that emphasise teamwork and mutual benefit.
  • Maintain Professionalism: Request clear, concise, and respectful communication to foster trust.

Top 10 Prompts to Build Strong Vendor Relationships with ChatGPT

1. Onboard a New Vendor

Prompt: “Draft a professional email to welcome a new vendor. Include expectations, key contacts, and next steps for onboarding.”

  • Why It Works: It sets a positive tone and ensures alignment from the start.

2. Clarify Expectations

Prompt: “Write a message to a vendor outlining clear expectations for [specific project or service]. Include deadlines and quality standards.”

  • Why It Works: It eliminates ambiguity and establishes a shared understanding.

3. Request Performance Updates

Prompt: “Draft a polite email requesting a progress update from a vendor on [specific deliverable].”

  • Why It Works: It keeps communication open and ensures accountability without sounding demanding.

4. Handle Delays Professionally

Prompt: “Write a professional email addressing a delay in delivery from a vendor. Request an updated timeline and propose solutions to minimise impact.”

  • Why It Works: It handles delays diplomatically while maintaining a collaborative tone.

5. Negotiate Terms

Prompt: “Draft a message to negotiate better terms with a vendor for [specific service or product]. Highlight mutual benefits.”

  • Why It Works: It fosters a win-win negotiation dynamic while preserving the relationship.

6. Resolve Conflicts

Prompt: “Write a message to address a dispute with a vendor over [specific issue]. Propose a resolution and emphasise the importance of collaboration.”

  • Why It Works: It focuses on solutions rather than blame, keeping the relationship intact.

7. Show Appreciation

Prompt: “Draft a thank-you email to a vendor for their excellent service during [specific project or period].”

  • Why It Works: It strengthens goodwill and shows that their efforts are valued.

8. Propose a Partnership Expansion

Prompt: “Write an email proposing an expanded partnership with a vendor. Highlight past successes and potential future opportunities.”

  • Why It Works: It positions your relationship as a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.

9. Request Cost Adjustments

Prompt: “Draft a message to a vendor requesting a cost review for [specific product or service] due to [reason, e.g., budget constraints or market changes].”

  • Why It Works: It opens the door for negotiation while maintaining professionalism.

10. Schedule a Quarterly Review

Prompt: “Write an email inviting a vendor to a quarterly performance review meeting. Include the agenda and goals for the discussion.”

  • Why It Works: It establishes a framework for continuous improvement and collaboration.

Build Strong Vendor Relationships with ChatGPT

Vendor relationships thrive on trust, communication, and collaboration. Use these ChatGPT prompts to onboard vendors smoothly, negotiate effectively, and resolve issues professionally. By fostering stronger partnerships, you’ll create a reliable network that drives mutual success.

Have you used ChatGPT to improve vendor relationships? Share your experiences or tips in the comment below!

  • We’ve already explored the Top 10 Prompts to Write Better Emails with ChatGPT—tap here to read that now.
  • Have a prompt of your own or a success story to share? Drop a comment below or connect with us on X/Twitter here. We’d love to hear how AIAcademy Asia is helping you level up. You can also sign up for our newsletter here.
  • Try these prompts on the free version of ChatGPT by tapping here.
  • Want to level up your AI skills in a more structured environment? Visit AIAcademey.asia to learn more.

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10 Prompts to Transition into a New Role with ChatGPT

Starting a new role? Use these 10 ChatGPT prompts to clarify responsibilities, build relationships, and create a 30/60/90-day plan for success.

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Transition into a New Role with ChatGPT

TL;DR

  • AIAcademy.Asia: This series helps you master work skills with ChatGPT. In this article, we focus on making a smooth transition into a new role.
  • ChatGPT can help outline responsibilities, build relationships, and create a 30/60/90-day plan for success.
  • Includes 10 actionable prompts like “Understand your responsibilities,” “Identify quick wins,” and “Develop key relationships.”
  • Use these prompts to hit the ground running and excel in your new role with confidence.

Make a Smooth Transition with ChatGPT

Starting a new role is exciting but can also feel overwhelming. Whether it’s learning new responsibilities, understanding team dynamics, or proving yourself in a new environment, the transition phase is critical for setting the tone for future success.

ChatGPT can help you navigate this period by offering tailored advice, strategies, and tools to excel in your new role. With these prompts, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and actionable steps to make a strong start and build momentum.

Quick Tips for Role-Transition Prompts

To make the most of ChatGPT for transitioning into a new role, keep these tips in mind:

  • Be Clear About Your Role: Share details about the position, team, and expectations for relevant advice.
  • Focus on Quick Wins: Use prompts to identify opportunities to add value early on.
  • Ask for Growth Strategies: Request actionable plans to develop key skills and relationships.

Top 10 Prompts to Transition into a New Role with ChatGPT

1. Understand Your Responsibilities

  • Prompt: “Help me outline my key responsibilities as a [job title]. Include questions I should ask to clarify expectations.”
  • Why It Works: It provides clarity and ensures alignment with your manager’s expectations.

2. Set a 30/60/90-Day Plan

  • Prompt: “Create a 30/60/90-day plan for success in my new role as [job title]. Focus on building relationships, learning processes, and achieving early wins.”
  • Why It Works: It gives you a structured roadmap for a successful transition.

3. Learn About Your Team

  • Prompt: “What questions should I ask my team members to understand their goals, challenges, and working styles?”
  • Why It Works: It helps you build rapport and foster collaboration early on.

4. Identify Quick Wins

  • Prompt: “Suggest 3 quick wins I can achieve in my first month as [job title] to demonstrate value.”
  • Why It Works: It allows you to make a positive impression early in your new role.

5. Master New Tools or Systems

  • Prompt: “Draft a learning plan to quickly get up to speed with [specific tool/system] that’s critical for my new role.”
  • Why It Works: It helps you adapt to the tools you’ll need to succeed.

6. Develop Key Relationships

  • Prompt: “Who should I prioritise building relationships with in my new role as [job title], and how can I do this effectively?”
  • Why It Works: It ensures you focus on building the right connections to support your success.

7. Prepare for One-on-One Meetings

  • Prompt: “What should I discuss in my first one-on-one meeting with my manager in my new role? Include key questions to ask.”
  • Why It Works: It sets the stage for clear communication and alignment.

8. Handle Challenges Confidently

  • Prompt: “What strategies can I use to navigate challenges like [specific challenge, e.g., high expectations or steep learning curves] in my new role?”
  • Why It Works: It equips you with tools to overcome potential obstacles.

9. Showcase Your Strengths

  • Prompt: “How can I highlight my strengths in [specific skill or area] while adapting to my new role?”
  • Why It Works: It helps you build confidence and demonstrate value to your team.

10. Reflect on Your Progress

  • Prompt: “Create a self-reflection template to evaluate my progress during my first 90 days in this new role. Include what’s working and areas for improvement.”
  • Why It Works: It encourages continuous growth and self-awareness during your transition.

Transition into a New Role with ChatGPT

Transitioning into a new role can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, you can hit the ground running. Use these ChatGPT prompts to clarify expectations, build relationships, and showcase your value. With ChatGPT as your guide, you’ll navigate your transition with confidence and ease.

Have you used ChatGPT to help with a role transition? Share your experience or tips in the comments below!

  • We’ve already explored the Top 10 Prompts to Write Better Emails with ChatGPT—tap here to read that now.
  • Have a prompt of your own or a success story to share? Drop a comment below or connect with us on X/Twitter here. We’d love to hear how AIAcademy Asia is helping you level up. You can also sign up for our newsletter here.
  • Try these prompts on the free version of ChatGPT by tapping here.
  • Want to level up your AI skills in a more structured environment? Visit AIAcademey.asia to learn more.

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