Aravind Srinivas is an Indian computer scientist and entrepreneur, best known as the CEO and co-founder of Perplexity AI, a company specialising in conversational artificial intelligence search technologies. Born in Madras (now Chennai), India, Srinivas has built a career that spans top academic institutions and leading AI research labs, culminating in his leadership role at Perplexity AI.Srinivas’s journey reflects a blend of rigorous education and practical research experience in artificial intelligence. His academic background and professional career have played a crucial role in shaping the development of Perplexity AI, which aims to provide users with direct, cited answers to queries through its AI-powered “answer engine.”From IIT Madras electrical engineering to Berkeley PhDAravind Srinivas was born on June 7, 1994, in Madras, India. He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. Following this, he pursued a PhD in computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, where he further specialised in machine learning and artificial intelligence.His academic achievements laid the foundation for his research and work in AI. Srinivas held research positions at several prominent organisations, including OpenAI, Google Brain, and DeepMind. These roles allowed him to focus on cutting-edge AI technologies and machine learning models.Career highlights leading to Perplexity AIIn 2022, Srinivas co-founded Perplexity AI with Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. The company developed an AI-powered search engine designed to provide users with direct and referenced answers, aiming to distinguish itself from traditional search engines by delivering more precise and transparent responses.Under Srinivas’s leadership, Perplexity AI has attracted significant funding from investors such as Jeff Bezos, Elad Gil, Nat Friedman, and Nvidia. The company has also forged partnerships to expand its AI capabilities, including a collaboration with Deutsche Telekom to develop a smartphone integrated with AI technology.Challenges and recognition in the AI fieldSrinivas has spoken publicly about the challenges of adapting to fast-evolving AI technology, noting that the human race has not historically adapted quickly to rapid technological change. He emphasised that the AI field evolves every three to six months, testing the limits of human adaptability.In 2024, Time magazine named Aravind Srinivas as one of the “TIME100 Most Influential People in AI,” recognising his contributions to the field. He has also highlighted the importance of young people mastering AI tools rather than spending excessive time on social media, warning that those who do not adapt risk losing employability in the changing job market.Future outlook and entrepreneurshipSrinivas has expressed concerns that AI could lead to job displacement for workers unable to keep pace with technology but sees entrepreneurship as a vital solution. He believes that new job creation will come from people learning to use AI effectively or starting companies that leverage AI capabilities.His views align with broader industry discussions about AI’s impact on employment, with some leaders predicting significant reductions in entry-level white-collar roles. Srinivas advocates for proactive adaptation through AI education and entrepreneurship as the way forward.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
