• Apple executives reportedly in early discussions to acquire AI startup Perplexity.
• The acquisition could bolster Apple's AI capabilities and search engine development.
• Prior attempts to acquire Perplexity were made by Meta Platforms earlier this year.
• A successful acquisition would mark Apple's largest to date, as Perplexity is valued at $14 billion.

Apple executives have held internal discussions about potentially bidding for artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI, as reported by Bloomberg News, with sources indicating the talks are still in preliminary stages and might not result in a formal offer. Notably, Apple has not yet initiated discussions with Perplexity's management regarding a bid, emphasizing the tentative nature of these negotiations, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The discussions involve key figures at Apple, including Adrian Perica, the head of mergers and acquisitions, and Eddy Cue, services chief, as they examine the prospect of enhancing Apple's AI talent and technology arsenal. Such a deal aligns with Apple's strategic goal of developing its own AI-driven search engine capabilities, particularly as it navigates the implications of a potential shift away from its long-standing collaboration with Google. Insights into this strategy emerge from the reports by India Times, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Perplexity AI, which recently completed a funding round that valued it at $14 billion, has caught Apple's attention not just for its innovative search technologies but also as a strategic move amid increasing competition within the AI sector. Earlier this year, Meta Platforms attempted to acquire Perplexity, reinforcing the startup's desirability among tech giants striving to expand their AI capabilities, as reported by India Times and Reuters.