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Perplexity Secures $200 Million at $20 Billion Valuation, Report Says

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AI startup Perplexity has finalized commitments for $200 million in new funding, giving the company a valuation of $20 billion, according to The Information. The report, citing a source familiar with the matter, has not been independently confirmed by Reuters, and Perplexity did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity has been rapidly positioning itself as a challenger in the AI space. The company, backed by Nvidia, has developed Comet, an AI-powered browser capable of performing tasks on behalf of users.

In August, Perplexity made headlines with a bold but unsuccessful $34.5 billion unsolicited cash bid for Alphabet’s Chrome browser — an offer nearly double its current valuation. If accepted, the deal would have given Perplexity access to Chrome’s three billion users worldwide, dramatically expanding its reach and strengthening its position against competitors such as OpenAI, which is also building an AI-first browser.

The new funding round signals strong investor confidence in Perplexity’s strategy, even as the company looks to scale up amid intensifying competition in AI-driven consumer technology.

U.S. Data Center Construction Hits Record $40 Billion Amid AI Boom

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Construction spending on U.S. data centers hit a record $40 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in June, according to a new report from the Bank of America Institute. The surge reflects the massive capital pouring into AI infrastructure by major technology companies.

By the Numbers

The $40 billion figure represents a 30% jump from last year, following an even steeper 50% surge in 2024, based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

Why It Matters

The explosive growth of generative AI and machine learning has triggered an unprecedented demand for computing power. Tech giants including Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon are investing billions to expand their hyperscale data centers, enabling them to run AI workloads at scale. This infrastructure boom has also fueled record sales for Nvidia, whose GPUs power much of the AI ecosystem and now account for the bulk of its revenue.

Key Quotes

“Hyperscalers are a big part of the increased demand for power, but they’re not the whole picture,” Bank of America Institute economists led by Liz Everett Krisberg noted.
They emphasized that much of the projected growth in U.S. electricity demand through 2030 will also come from EV adoption, industrial reshoring, building electrification, and heating systems — highlighting how AI-driven infrastructure is just one force in a broader energy transformation.

YouTube in Talks with TelevisaUnivision to Avoid Content Removal

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YouTube confirmed Tuesday that it is in negotiations with TelevisaUnivision to maintain access to the Spanish-language broadcaster’s content on YouTube TV, following concerns it could be pulled from the platform’s $83 monthly base plan.

Background

  • TelevisaUnivision is a joint venture between Mexico’s Grupo Televisa and U.S.-based Univision, making it the largest Spanish-language media company in the Americas.

  • Univision posted on X that YouTube TV plans to remove its content on September 30, unless subscribers pay an additional $15 per month, which it labeled as an “18% Hispanic Tax.”

  • Univision’s message to Google: “Do the right thing … otherwise this looks evil.”

YouTube’s Response

  • In a statement, YouTube (owned by Alphabet) said:

    “We have been working with TelevisaUnivision to reach an agreement that allows us to continue carrying their content on YouTube TV.”

  • Negotiations remain ongoing, echoing recent carriage disputes between YouTube and other major networks.

Context

  • YouTube TV recently resolved a similar dispute with Fox, keeping Fox News, Fox Sports, and other Fox channels available to subscribers.

  • The situation highlights the rising tension between streaming providers and traditional broadcasters over carriage fees, particularly as streaming services push back against price hikes.

Why It Matters

  • TelevisaUnivision content is especially critical for Hispanic households, one of the fastest-growing demographics in U.S. streaming markets.

  • The outcome will affect not only pricing but also cultural access, raising concerns over whether Spanish-speaking audiences are being unfairly targeted.