Aravind Srinivas’s journey from Chennai to leading a groundbreaking AI company highlights his dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the transformative potential of technology.
Aravind Srinivas, a Chennai-born Indian-American computer scientist and entrepreneur, has emerged as a rising star in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). He is the co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, an AI-powered search engine backed by prominent investors like Jeff Bezos. His journey from an early passion for science and technology to leading a cutting-edge AI company is truly inspiring.
Aravind Srinivas Early Life
Born on June 7, 1994, in Chennai, India, Srinivas demonstrated an early interest in technology. He pursued a dual degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras, graduating in 2017, and later earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. His academic journey laid the foundation for a remarkable career in AI.
Aravind Srinivas Professional Journey
Srinivas began his professional career as a Research Intern at OpenAI, followed by similar roles at Google and DeepMind, two of the world’s most prominent tech companies. After completing his Ph.D., he returned to OpenAI as a Research Scientist, where he contributed to the development of groundbreaking technologies like DALL-E 2, a state-of-the-art image generation tool.
In 2022, he co-founded Perplexity AI with Andy Konwinski, Dennis Yarats, and Johnny Ho. The platform leverages AI to provide enhanced search capabilities and has attracted investments from tech giants, including Jeff Bezos.
In addition to his work at Perplexity AI, Srinivas is an angel investor, supporting innovative startups like ElevenLabs and Suno. His entrepreneurial journey reflects the influence of industry leaders like Sundar Pichai.
Proposed ByteDance Merger
In early 2025, Srinivas and Perplexity AI gained attention for a proposed merger with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The deal includes forming a U.S.-based holding company, NewCo, to manage TikTok’s American operations. The U.S. government could potentially hold a 50% stake in the new entity after a $300 billion IPO, while ByteDance would retain control of TikTok’s core algorithms. This initiative aims to address national security concerns surrounding TikTok in the U.S. If the merger is successful, Srinivas could become a pivotal leader in the global social media landscape.
Elon Musk’s Support
In December 2024, Srinivas shared his frustration on social media about a three-year wait for his U.S. Green Card. His post caught the attention of Elon Musk, who responded with a simple “Yes.” Srinivas replied with a heartfelt emoji, showcasing the challenges immigrants face in obtaining permanent residency in the U.S.
With continued success, he is poised to leave an indelible mark on the global tech industry.
