Artificial intelligence technologies are rapidly transforming daily life: not long ago, we only asked AI simple questions, but today we’re ready to trust it with choosing and purchasing products. Perplexity has unveiled a new tool that allows users not only to find the right products, but also to buy them directly through the platform using PayPal for payment. This marks a shift from traditional search engines to fully functional digital assistants capable of taking on routine tasks.
The platform, formerly known as a dialogue-based search engine, is now entering the e-commerce market. The new service combines intelligent product selection, review and specification analysis, as well as instant checkout. Users simply describe what they need—such as noise-canceling headphones for travel—and receive a curated list of suitable models with detailed comparisons and recommendations. If the chosen item is available in stores supporting PayPal or Venmo, the purchase is completed in a few clicks without leaving the Perplexity interface.
AI as the new middleman in online shopping
The introduction of this feature reflects the growing interest in so-called ‘conversational ecommerce,’ where artificial intelligence acts as a bridge between user requests and market offerings. This not only speeds up the selection process but also minimizes the number of transitions between websites and apps. Essentially, Perplexity is becoming a universal assistant that not only offers advice but manages the entire chain—from search to payment.
However, such a radical simplification of the process raises questions. How objective are the AI’s recommendations? Does the system favor certain brands or stores? How is personal data protected if the platform analyzes and remembers consumer habits? Centralizing all stages of the purchasing process in one service makes it more convenient, but at the same time, increases the platform’s influence over user choices.
Advantages and risks of the new model
The emergence of such services is changing not only the shopping process itself but also the role of the consumer. Whereas previously a person would independently compare offers, read reviews, and make decisions, now all these stages are handled by the algorithm. This saves time and reduces the likelihood of mistakes, but at the same time creates new habits and even dependencies on digital assistants.
At the same time, integration with PayPal provides additional security and convenience for making payments. Users can be confident in the safety of their data and the transparency of their transactions. However, experts warn: the more information about purchases and preferences is concentrated within a single system, the higher the risks for privacy and independent choice.
Competition in the AI Services Market
Perplexity is not the only company rolling out such solutions. Major tech players like OpenAI with ChatGPT have also announced the launch of tools for AI-powered shopping. This points to the rise of a new trend: digital assistants are becoming an integral part of everyday services, and the race for dominance in this sphere is just beginning.
The shift from a model of ‘ask a question — get an answer’ to ‘ask a question — get a result’ is fundamentally changing how we interact with technology. Now, the platform doesn’t just provide information; it acts on the user’s behalf. This opens up new possibilities but also requires users to be more mindful when using such services.
By the way, what is known about Perplexity
Perplexity is an American technology company founded in 2022. It quickly gained popularity with its AI-powered search service, which allows users to engage in conversational interactions and receive detailed answers to complex questions. The company’s headquarters are in San Francisco. In a short time, Perplexity attracted the attention of major investors and became one of the prominent players in the AI solutions market. In 2024, the platform expanded internationally, and in 2025, it announced a partnership with PayPal to integrate payment services. The company is actively developing new areas, including business tools and educational projects. Experts note that Perplexity focuses on a simple interface and maximum automation of routine tasks, distinguishing it from its competitors.
