Before investing billions in Scale AI, Facebook-parent Meta talked to Perplexity; ‘two versions’ of why the talks failed

Facebook-parent Meta considered acquiring Perplexity AI before its multi-billion-dollar investment in Scale AI, a report claims. This development comes as Apple is also reportedly pursuing an acquisition of the AI startup led by Desi CEO Aravind Srinivas. According to a report by CNBC, sources familiar with the confidential negotiations, who requested anonymity, stated that a deal between Meta and Perplexity AI was never finalised. One individual noted the discussions were “mutually dissolved,” while another indicated that Perplexity chose to walk away from the potential acquisition. Meta’s move to acquire Perplexity comes amidst its CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s continued push to advance the company’s AI capabilities as competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet grows.