The AI landscape on smartphones is poised for a potential shakeup as Perplexity AI, the burgeoning AI search engine startup, is reportedly in discussions with Motorola and Samsung to integrate its AI assistant into their devices. This move could challenge Google's dominance in the Android ecosystem, where Gemini is currently the default AI assistant for many devices.

Motorola seems further along in the negotiation process and may unveil a partnership as early as April 24th at an upcoming product event in New York City. Sources suggest that Motorola intends to preload Perplexity AI on its devices as an alternative to Gemini. To encourage users to explore the new AI option, Motorola plans to highlight Perplexity's capabilities through its marketing efforts. The company may also offer a customized user interface for Perplexity on its new Razr foldable phones, taking advantage of the device's unique form factor.

Samsung's situation is more complex due to its existing close partnership with Google, which powers many of the Galaxy AI features. However, discussions are underway, and Samsung is exploring various options for incorporating Perplexity AI. These options range from offering Perplexity as a default AI assistant choice to pre-installing the Perplexity app on its phones. There's also the possibility of Samsung promoting Perplexity prominently within the Galaxy Store, where users can download apps. Samsung's investment arm, NEXT, has already backed Perplexity in the past, and there are reports indicating that Samsung is considering making further investments in the near future.

Perplexity AI, founded in 2022, has quickly gained recognition for its search-engine-like interface and ability to provide real-time information. It leverages its own AI models, in addition to those from Google, OpenAI, and others, to deliver accurate and comprehensive answers to user queries. The platform also has a Google Circle to Search like feature for Android devices.

The potential integration of Perplexity AI into Motorola and Samsung phones signifies a strategic shift in the mobile industry. As AI becomes increasingly crucial for differentiating smartphone offerings, manufacturers are actively seeking partnerships to enhance their devices' capabilities. For Perplexity, securing deals with these major smartphone vendors would significantly boost its visibility and user base, potentially allowing it to compete more effectively with established AI giants like Google and OpenAI.

Samsung's interest in Perplexity, despite its reliance on Google's Gemini for many AI functions, highlights the growing importance of AI diversification. By exploring alternatives, Samsung can avoid over-dependence on a single AI provider and offer its users a wider range of choices.

The collaboration could also represent a change in how users interact with their smartphones. Some analysts predict that AI assistants will reduce the use of mobile apps by up to 25% by 2027, as users increasingly rely on AI to perform tasks and access information. This suggests a future where AI assistants like Perplexity, Gemini, and others will play a more central role in the mobile experience.