Artificial intelligence has long been seen as a costly playground for large corporations. But with Perplexity Deep Research, that might be about to change. The company has unveiled a tool capable of generating in-depth research reports in minutes—at a fraction of the usual cost. While tech giants like OpenAI and Google often charge significantly more for their advanced logic models like o1, Perplexity offers access to high-performance AI for just $20 a month. The message is clear: advanced knowledge should be accessible to everyone, not just businesses with deep pockets.
AI-Powered Research in Just Three Minutes
At the heart of Perplexity Deep Research lies its remarkable ability to produce high-quality research in record time. In a typical query, the system performs eight searches, consults 42 sources, and compiles a 1,300-word report in under three minutes. It combines web search with coding and analytical capabilities—a task that would take human researchers hours to complete.
The results are impressive not only for their speed but also for their accuracy: in independent tests, Deep Research achieved 93.9% accuracy in the SimpleQA benchmark, significantly outperforming competing models from Google and Anthropic. OpenAI’s model still holds the edge in certain areas but comes at a much higher price.
Democratising AI Knowledge
With this new offering, Perplexity is challenging not just the cost structure of the AI industry but also the accessibility of advanced tools. CEO Aravind Srinivas summed it up succinctly: “Knowledge should be universally accessible and useful—not hidden behind obscenely expensive subscription plans that benefit corporations, not humanity.”
Small and medium-sized businesses stand to benefit the most. Industries like healthcare, education, and finance, which often rely on costly external services, can now access a powerful tool for instant data analysis. Deep Research delivers complex insights with just a few clicks, making high-level AI research available to professionals who were previously excluded by prohibitive costs.
Putting AI Giants Under Pressure
This move is sure to cause ripples across the AI landscape. In recent years, enterprise spending on AI has surged, with companies pouring millions into tools promising better decision-making and market insights. In 2025 alone, organisations are expected to increase their AI budgets by an average of $3.4 million. But with tools like Deep Research now offering similar capabilities at consumer-level prices, those investments are being called into question.
Perplexity is proving that advanced AI services are no longer the exclusive domain of industry giants. While established players will need to justify their premium pricing models, Perplexity is already attracting a growing community of users eager to explore its capabilities.
The Future of AI: Fast, Affordable, and Open to All
By extending Deep Research to iOS, Android, and macOS, Perplexity is sending a clear message: AI is not a luxury—it’s a tool for everyday use. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or business owner, the barriers to accessing intelligent research tools are rapidly disappearing.
The big question now is whether established companies like OpenAI and Google can sustain their premium pricing models in the face of this new competition. Are we witnessing the start of a new era in which AI services become as accessible as streaming platforms?
Perplexity has certainly fired the first shot—and the shockwaves could reshape the entire AI market.
Post picture: Perplexity
