The artificial intelligence landscape is witnessing a seismic shift as Perplexity AI introduces groundbreaking features that are transforming how users interact with AI-powered search. From project-based workflows to real-time video generation, these innovations are positioning the company as a formidable challenger to established tech giants.
The Labs Revolution: Beyond Traditional Search
Perplexity’s most significant advancement comes in the form of Labs, a revolutionary feature that transforms the AI search experience from simple question-answering to comprehensive project creation. Available exclusively to Pro subscribers, Labs represents a fundamental shift in how AI can assist with complex, multi-step tasks.
Unlike traditional search functions, Labs operates like having a dedicated AI team at your disposal. The platform can generate reports, analyze data, write and execute code, and build lightweight web applications from a single interface. This capability addresses a critical gap in the market where users previously needed multiple software tools and significant manual input to complete complex projects.
According to Aravind Srinivas, CEO and co-founder of Perplexity, Labs enables “much more complex tasks like building trading strategies, dashboards, headless browsing tasks for real estate research, building mini-web apps, storyboards, and a directory of generated assets.”
How Labs Transforms Productivity
The practical applications of Labs are impressive and diverse. Users can create interactive dashboards, conduct market research with live data sources, analyze public filings, and generate comprehensive reports all within minutes rather than hours or days.
Each Lab session includes an Assets tab where users can view or download all generated materials, including charts, images, CSV files, and code. Some Labs also feature an App tab that renders basic web applications directly within the project environment.
Early user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Sundararajan Anandan shared his experience: “Tasks that once took hours of manual research and formatting were distilled into crisp, actionable insights in under 10 minutes.”
However, the feature isn’t without limitations. Some users have noted that follow-up interactions and code revisions after initial generation are currently restricted, requiring users to be precise with their initial prompts.
Video Generation Takes Social Media by Storm
Perplexity’s innovation extends beyond productivity tools. The company recently launched a video generation feature on X (formerly Twitter) that has captured widespread attention across social media platforms.
The feature allows users to generate eight-second AI videos with sound by simply tagging @AskPerplexity with a prompt. These videos include creative visuals, audio, and even dialogue, making them highly engaging for social media users.
The launch created an immediate viral sensation, particularly among Indian users who flooded the platform with creative requests. The overwhelming response prompted a humorous acknowledgment from the bot itself: “I’ve read through your video request DMs. Some of y’all need help.”
Competitive Landscape and Market Position
These new features intensify Perplexity’s competition with major tech companies, particularly in challenging Google’s search dominance. The company is also developing its own browser called Comet, aiming to provide an alternative to established browsers like Chrome and Safari.
The timing is strategic, as reports suggest that Perplexity is close to raising$500 million in a new funding round, potentially boosting its valuation to$14 billion. This financial backing would provide the resources needed to compete with tech giants while continuing to innovate.
The video generation feature also highlights the growing rivalry between Perplexity and Grok, Elon Musk’s AI venture. Both are popular automated accounts on X, but Perplexity’s video capabilities give it a distinct advantage in user engagement.
Technical Innovation and Safety Measures
Perplexity has implemented robust safety measures to prevent misuse of its video generation capabilities. While the system can create videos featuring real-life public figures, including politicians and celebrities, strong content filters are in place to maintain ethical standards and prevent harmful applications.
The company has also standardized its terminology, renaming “Deep Research” to simply “Research” to clarify distinctions between its three modes: Search, Research, and Labs. This streamlined approach helps users understand which tool best suits their needs.
Expanding Accessibility and Platform Integration
Beyond these flagship features, Perplexity continues expanding its accessibility. The platform became available on WhatsApp in April 2025, allowing users to access AI-powered research tools without downloading separate applications. Users can save +1 (833) 436-3285 to their contacts and begin asking questions immediately.
This multi-platform approach demonstrates Perplexity’s commitment to meeting users where they are, rather than forcing them to adapt to new interfaces. The strategy has proven effective, with the company reporting significant user growth across all platforms.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its innovations, Perplexity faces challenges typical of AI companies. The BBC recently threatened legal action, alleging that Perplexity trained its AI models using the broadcaster’s content without proper authorization. The company has faced similar scrutiny from other publishers regarding its data collection methods.
Perplexity has responded to these concerns by calling such claims “manipulative and opportunistic,” arguing that publishers have “a fundamental misunderstanding of technology, the internet and intellectual property law.” This ongoing tension highlights the broader industry challenge of balancing AI innovation with content creators’ rights.
Future Implications and Industry Impact
The introduction of Labs and video generation capabilities signals a broader shift in the AI industry toward more comprehensive, user-friendly tools that enhance productivity and creativity. These features represent more than incremental improvements they’re fundamental changes in how AI can assist with complex tasks.
The success of these features could influence how other AI companies approach product development. Rather than focusing solely on improving existing capabilities, there’s growing recognition that users need tools that can handle complete workflows from ideation to execution.
Looking Ahead
As Perplexity continues to develop its offerings, the company appears well-positioned to capture market share from established players. The combination of innovative features, strategic funding, and expanding platform presence creates a compelling value proposition for users seeking alternatives to traditional search and productivity tools.
The company’s approach of combining deep research capabilities with practical output generation addresses a real market need. Whether you’re creating business reports, analyzing market data, or generating creative content, users today increasingly expect AI tools to go beyond simply providing information. Instead, they want solutions that deliver polished, ready-to-use results.
Perplexity’s new features represent a significant step forward in making AI more practical and accessible for everyday users. As these tools mature and expand, they’re likely to influence how we think about AI’s role in productivity, creativity, and information discovery.
The success of Labs and video generation demonstrates that there’s substantial demand for AI tools that go beyond simple question-answering. Users want AI that can act as a creative partner, research assistant, and productivity enhancer all in one platform. Perplexity’s latest innovations suggest that this vision is rapidly becoming reality.
Sources
- Perplexity Labs: New AI Tool for Project-Based Workflows – Security Boulevard
- Perplexity Introduces Labs for Project-Based AI Workflows – InfoQ
- New Perplexity Labs Feature Turns Prompts into Reports, Apps, and More – Analytics India Magazine
- I Tried Perplexity Labs and Here’s What I Found – Analytics Vidhya
- Perplexity’s AI chatbot can now generate videos on X: Here’s how to use it – The Indian Express
- Ask Perplexity rolls out 8-second AI video generation for X users – CNBC-TV18
- Perplexity AI rolls out video generation feature on X for ‘Ask Perplexity’ users – The Tech Portal
- Perplexity AI’s New Tool Creates Real-Time Videos with Sound: Here’s How It Works – OneIndia
- Perplexity rolls out AI video generation with ‘Ask Perplexity’ on X – The Hindu
- Perplexity Labs: New AI Tool for Project-Based Workflows – MojoAuth
