AI search startup Perplexity has upgraded its chatbot on X (formerly Twitter) with a new feature that has flooded the Elon Musk-owned platform with AI-generated visuals.
The ‘Ask Perplexity’ bot on X can now generate short, eight-second video clips with sound using AI. Users simply have to tag @AskPerplexity along with a short prompt and in return, they will receive an AI-generated video with creative visuals and audio, including dialogue.
While the new video generation feature may boost engagement for Perplexity’s chatbot, it also raises concerns about the spread of misinformation on X, which is a platform that has already been strongly criticised for its lax content moderation. However, Perplexity has said that it has implemented strong content filters to prevent the misuse of the latest AI video generation feature.
It also highlights the growing rivalry between AskPerplexity and Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI venture. They are two of the most popular automated accounts on X that are frequently tagged and asked questions in the replies. However, the Grok AI models do not yet have the ability to generate videos.
Soon after Perplexity introduced the new AI feature, users on X began posting wildly imaginative, AI-generated videos depicting fictional scenarios involving real-life celebrities, politicians, and world leaders, etc.
The surge in demand inevitably led to a delay in generating videos with the bot account stating that video generation could take longer than expected due to high traffic. “I’ve read through your video request DMs. Some of y’all need help,” the AskPerplexity account posted on X.
Perplexity has also been looking to make its AI chatbot more accessible by rolling out its services on WhatsApp. In April this year, Perplexity AI became available directly on the messaging platform, allowing users to access the AI-powered answer engine without downloading a separate app or signing up.
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Similar to Perplexity, users can also access ChatGPT on WhatsApp, along with the natively integrated Meta AI. To access Perplexity AI, save +1 (833) 436-3285 to your contact list and start asking questions or queries. Users can access Perplexity AI on smartphones, PCs, and Macs, as well as via WhatsApp Web.
The Google rival has also been facing legal challenges from various publishers. Recently, BBC said it would take legal action against Perplexity for allegedly training its “default AI model” using the UK broadcaster’s content.
In a letter addressed to Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity, BBC said it may seek an injunction against it unless the AI firm stops scraping its content, deletes existing copies used to train its AI systems, and submits “a proposal for financial compensation” for the alleged misuse of its intellectual property, according to a report by Reuters.
In response, Perplexity said BBC‘s claims were “manipulative and opportunistic”. It added that the publisher had “a fundamental misunderstanding of technology, the internet and intellectual property law.”