TechCrunch · 18 Aug, 07:00 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Perplexity’s free AI offer left it with millions more users in India

Perplexity AI has experienced significant user growth in India following its introduction of a free tier.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Perplexity AI has experienced significant user growth in India following its introduction of a free tier. This strategic move has attracted millions of new users to the platform, highlighting the strong demand for accessible artificial intelligence tools in emerging markets. The expansion underscores how removing cost barriers can rapidly scale adoption, particularly among tech-savvy demographics seeking efficient information retrieval and synthesis capabilities. For professionals, this signals a shift towards normalising AI integration in daily workflows, driven by widespread availability and ease of use across diverse economic segments.

Employer demand for Artificial Intelligence skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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This surge signals that AI literacy is no longer optional; it is a baseline expectation. You must adapt by mastering prompt engineering and critical evaluation of AI-generated insights, as these skills now carry premium value. Professionals in research, content creation, and strategic planning should pay particular attention to how free tools democratise access to complex data synthesis. A smart professional would immediately integrate such platforms into their daily workflow to enhance productivity and decision-making speed. You should also develop the ability to verify AI outputs rigorously, positioning yourself as a trusted interpreter of automated intelligence rather than a passive consumer. Embrace these tools to stay competitive.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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