Perplexity Acquires Carbon to Strengthen Data Connectivity Capabilities
Perplexity's acquisition of Carbon will integrate data connectors, enabling streamlined access to external sources and faster answer delivery.
Perplexity, a prominent AI-driven answer engine, has revealed its acquisition of Carbon, a retrieval-focused startup dedicated to linking large language models with external data sources. This strategic move positions Perplexity to enhance direct access to third-party repositories, internal databases, and popular applications like Notion and Google Docs.
Seamless External Data Integration
Carbon’s proprietary data connectors will allow Perplexity to unify scattered information streams into a single, queryable environment. Instead of manually searching across multiple locations, users can leverage Perplexity’s interface to retrieve context-rich, consolidated answers informed by their preferred data stores. By reducing the friction typically associated with multi-source research, Perplexity aims to streamline decision-making processes and improve user productivity.
Accelerated Product Roadmap
Under the terms of the acquisition, the entire Carbon team will join Perplexity. This infusion of engineering talent and expertise is expected to accelerate feature development and shorten release cycles. With enhanced technical capabilities and a deeper pool of specialized knowledge, Perplexity can more rapidly implement new connectors, refine search algorithms, and advance its capabilities as a comprehensive AI solution.
Advancing Enterprise Utility
The move aligns with Perplexity’s recent expansion into enterprise-oriented features. In 2024, the company introduced Enterprise Pro, launched Spaces for group collaboration, and added Internal File Search to empower organizations to securely query their own documents. These developments, along with integrations for real-time data processing, such as analyzing live earnings calls, have steadily broadened Perplexity’s scope and value proposition within professional and corporate settings.
Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
As the company enters 2025, the integration of Carbon’s connectors is going to further enrich Perplexity’s platform. By enabling seamless ingestion of a wider range of information, Perplexity can deliver more nuanced, authoritative, and personalized responses. This move underscores Perplexity’s ongoing commitment to refining its AI technology, expanding its capabilities, and meeting diverse user needs in an increasingly data-driven world.