Perplexity AI is aggressively moving to secure a prominent position in the smartphone virtual assistant market, challenging established giants like Google and OpenAI. The AI startup is currently in discussions with Samsung Electronics Co. to integrate its AI assistant into Samsung devices. Simultaneously, Perplexity AI has already finalized an agreement with Motorola, a subsidiary of Lenovo Group Ltd., to preload its assistant on Motorola smartphones.

The discussions with Samsung are still in the early stages, with potential terms including offering Perplexity as a default AI assistant option or preloading the Perplexity Android app on Samsung phones. Samsung, holding a significant share of the global smartphone market, could also promote Perplexity within its Galaxy Store. The formal announcement of the Motorola partnership is expected later this month, with Motorola scheduled to discuss the collaboration at a product event in New York City on April 24.

These strategic moves are designed to significantly boost Perplexity AI's brand visibility and adoption, particularly in the United States, where ChatGPT and Gemini have a stronger foothold. While Motorola’s market share in the smartphone sector is smaller, the company is actively growing. Samsung, on the other hand, commands approximately 20% of the global market share, according to data from IDC.

The integration of Perplexity AI with Samsung is complicated by Samsung's existing partnership with Alphabet Inc., which provides AI features and the default search engine for Samsung devices. However, Samsung's investment arm, NEXT, invested in Perplexity last year, signaling a deepening relationship. There are ongoing discussions about a further investment from Samsung in the near future. Perplexity is also in talks with other investors for a new funding round, aiming to double its valuation to $18 billion with a potential raise of $500 million to $1 billion.

Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI has quickly gained recognition for its real-time results and search engine-like interface. The AI assistant offers in-depth research capabilities and can utilize models from OpenAI and Anthropic PBC, in addition to its own. The Motorola deal includes preloading Perplexity as an alternative to Google's Gemini, a tailored user interface for Motorola's updated Razr foldable phones, and marketing initiatives to encourage users to try Perplexity.

Currently, Motorola provides its own AI system alongside Google Gemini, and Samsung offers its Bixby service alongside Google's AI platform. For Perplexity, securing deals with Motorola and potentially Samsung represents a critical step in increasing its market presence and brand recognition.

Earlier in the year, Perplexity announced a partnership with Deutsche Telekom AG in Europe to provide the core AI technology for an AI-centric phone, set to be revealed later this year.