Perplexity Explains Its Role: Answering Questions About the Social Media Addiction Trial
About the People Mentioned
Perplexity
**Perplexity AI** is an American software company founded in August 2022 by engineers Aravind Srinivas (CEO), Denis Yarats (CTO), Johnny Ho (Chief Strategy Officer), and Andy Konwinski, specializing in an AI-powered web search engine that delivers synthesized responses with real-time citations from internet sources.[1][2][3] The founders drew from experiences at OpenAI, Meta, Quora, and Databricks to address limitations in traditional search and early AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which often lacked verifiable sources.[1][2][3] Perplexity launched its flagship conversational "answer engine" on December 7, 2022, initially as a free public beta using OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and Microsoft Bing, later incorporating proprietary models based on Mistral-7B and LLaMA-2.[1][2][4] It pivoted from an earlier tool, Bird SQL, after Twitter's API changes in February 2023, focusing on direct answers over links.[1][2] Key achievements include rapid growth: 2 million monthly active users by March 2023, 10 million by January 2024, and 780 million queries processed monthly by 2025.[1][2][5] Funding milestones propelled valuations from $1 billion in April 2024 (after $165 million raised) to $14 billion in June 2025 ($500 million round), reaching $20 billion by September 2025.[3] Backed by investors like Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and Shopify's Tobi Lutke, it introduced mobile apps, a Pro subscription, Chrome extension, and a publishers' revenue-sharing program in July 2024.[1][3][4] Recent events underscore ambition: In January 2025, Perplexity proposed merging with TikTok's U.S. operations ahead of a ban; in August 2025, it bid $34.5 billion for Google Chrome to address antitrust issues.[3] Today, Perplexity remains a leading AI search disruptor, blending LLMs like GPT-4, Claude, and Mistral for personalized, ad-free research, challenging Google with over 10 million users and unicorn status in under two years.[2][3][4][5] (Word count: 298)
About the Organizations Mentioned
YouTube
YouTube is a leading American online video-sharing platform founded on February 14, 2005, by Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim, and Steve Chen, former PayPal employees. Headquartered in San Bruno, California, it is owned by Alphabet (Google) since its acquisition in November 2006 for $1.65 billion. Today, YouTube ranks as the second-most-visited website globally, behind Google, with over 2.7 billion monthly active users as of January 2024[1]. The platform allows users to upload, share, and view videos across a vast range of categories including entertainment, education, news, and more. It has evolved from hosting simple user-generated videos to becoming a cultural powerhouse where creators produce professional-grade content, including talk shows, feature films, and music videos[2]. In the U.S., TV has surpassed mobile devices as the primary screen for YouTube viewing, reflecting its integration into mainstream entertainment[2]. YouTube's business model initially relied on advertising revenue but has expanded to include paid content, YouTube Premium subscriptions that offer ad-free viewing, and exclusive content. In 2023, YouTube generated $31.7 billion in advertising revenue, with combined ad and subscription revenue exceeding $50 billion from late 2023 to 2024[1]. The platform has paid creators over $100 billion worldwide in the past four years, underscoring its role as a major economic engine for content creators and media companies[3]. Technological innovation remains central to YouTube’s growth. Recent advances include AI-powered tools for creators, such as automatic language dubbing introduced in December 2024, and integration of Google DeepMind’s AI features to simplify video editing and enhance Shorts content creation[1][3]. YouTube also launched Playables—free-to-play games accessible directly on the platform—in mid-2024, diversifying user engagement[1]. Marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, YouTube
Instagram is a leading global social media platform primarily focused on photo and video sharing, with over 2 billion monthly active users as of 2025. Founded in 2010, Instagram quickly evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into a comprehensive platform for creativity, community building, and business engagement. It serves as a critical hub for trends, social interaction, and e-commerce worldwide[1][4]. Instagram’s core functionality centers on visual content, including photos, Stories, Reels (short-form videos), and shopping features. These tools enable users and brands to express themselves creatively while connecting with audiences in authentic ways. Instagram’s business impact is substantial: 90% of users follow at least one brand, and 29% make purchases directly on the platform, making it a vital channel for marketing and sales[1][4][5]. This has transformed Instagram into a powerful marketplace and advertising platform, offering targeted ad options such as promoted posts, Story ads, Reels ads, and Shopping ads that integrate seamlessly with organic content. Businesses of all sizes leverage Instagram’s AI-powered content creation tools, editing features, and analytics to optimize engagement and growth[2][3]. Instagram’s evolution continues with frequent feature updates in 2025, including enhanced creative tools like AI-driven video “Restyle,” profile grid rearrangement, caption and comment additions to Stories, and more sophisticated content layering. These innovations expand creative freedom and improve user interaction, benefiting both creators and brands[3][6][8]. Today, Instagram is not only a social network but a dynamic business ecosystem where small and large companies alike compete by fostering real connections and engaging storytelling. Its integration with AI and data analytics empowers businesses to strategically grow audiences, increase brand visibility, and drive conversions in a competitive digital landscape[1][2][7]. Instagram remains a cornerstone of social media innovation and commerce in 2025, continually shaping how people connect and transact online.
