Exploring Features of Perplexity AI Tool

Sep 22, 2024

Lecture on Perplexity AI Tool

Introduction to Perplexity

  • Purpose: Teach about using Perplexity in research, coding, and writing.
  • Structure: Start with basics, then move to advanced techniques.

Basics of Perplexity

  • Interface: Has a Pro toggle for accessing advanced features.
  • Perplexity Pro
    • Unlimited Pro search, file uploads (PDFs, CSVs, images).
    • Uses Claude and ChatGPT models.
    • Access to cutting-edge AI models.
    • Priced at $20/month.
    • Offers API credits for use, paid on a quota basis.

Settings and Customization

  • Change system themes, language, avatar, username.
  • Manage subscription and AI model preferences.
  • Use Flux 1 for AI image generation.

Using Perplexity for Prompting

  • Modes
    • Web: Normal web searches.
    • Academic: Accesses academic papers and references.
    • Math: Solves math equations.
    • Writing: Focuses on prose writing.
    • Video: Transcribes and notes video content.
    • Social: Searches platforms like Quora and Reddit.
  • Example Task: Researching 3D print products for Etsy using step-by-step prompts.

Advanced Features

  • Academic Mode: For credible, scientifically accurate resources.
  • Math Mode: Convert currencies, solve derivations using Wolfram Alpha.
  • Writing Mode: Create documents, e.g., onboarding emails.
  • Video Mode: Extracts information from video content.
  • Social Mode: Market research via social platforms.

Coding with Perplexity

  • Uses Claude Sonnet 3.5 model.
  • Example: Create a basic website using vanilla JS, CSS, HTML.
  • Offers step-by-step instructions for building and running code.

Discover and News Features

  • Discover Tab: Curates and creates news stories from various sources.
  • Allows for detailed research and sharing of news articles.

Organization and Community

  • Library Tab: Stores threads and pages created.
  • Organize threads into collections for sharing.
  • AI Foundations Community: Learn and connect with others in AI.

Personal Reflection

  • Favorite feature: Automated research and search query generation.
  • Encouragement to join AI Foundations for deeper learning and community engagement.

These notes capture the key points from the lecture regarding the Perplexity AI tool, its features, and applications in various fields like research, coding, and writing. The lecture also highlights community resources and personal reflections on the tool's capabilities.

Gemini Pro 1.5 Experimental

Perplexity AI: A Powerful Tool for Research, Coding, and More

This text explores the features and capabilities of Perplexity AI, a platform that combines search, research, and AI assistance.

Perplexity Pro Features:

  • Unlimited Pro Search: Access to the Perplexity search tool without limitations.
  • Unlimited File Uploads: Analyze PDFs, CSVs, images, and other files within chats.
  • Access to Advanced AI Models: Integration with Claude and ChatGPT, ensuring access to cutting-edge models.
  • API Credits: Provides credits for utilizing the Perplexity API.
  • Cost: $20 per month.

Benefits of Perplexity Pro:

According to the author, Perplexity Pro offers access to the latest AI models at a reasonable price, especially compared to the cost of individual subscriptions to Claude and ChatGPT.

Perplexity Settings:

  • System Theme: Customizable to light or dark mode.
  • Language: Supports multiple languages.
  • Avatar and Username: Personalization options.
  • Data Retention: Control over search history storage.
  • Default AI and Image Generation Models: Customizable to preferred models, including Flux One.
  • Custom Instructions: Ability to provide personal information for context in prompts and searches.
  • API Access: Tab for managing API features and keys.
  • Enterprise Settings: Options for team management.

Perplexity Focus Modes:

Perplexity offers various focus modes to tailor its responses:

  • Web: Standard web searches.
  • Academic: Accesses and references published academic papers.
  • Math: Solves math equations using Wolfram Alpha.
  • Writing: Focuses on writing tasks with advanced language models.
  • Video: Analyzes video transcripts for information (e.g., recipes from YouTube).
  • Social: Explores opinions and discussions on platforms like Reddit and Quora.

Prompting Techniques:

  • Splitting Tasks: Breaking down complex prompts into smaller, sequential steps can improve the effectiveness of Perplexity's responses. For example, a prompt about researching 3D printing markets could be split into researching, ranking, selecting products, critiquing, and providing final recommendations.
  • Follow-up Questions: Perplexity allows for follow-up questions to delve deeper into the initial response.
  • Combining Focus Modes: Switching between focus modes (e.g., from Web to Writing) can be beneficial for certain tasks. For instance, research conducted in Web mode can be used as input for a writing task in Writing mode.

Coding with Perplexity:

Perplexity can be used for coding tasks:

  • Generating Website Code: Perplexity can create basic website structures using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript based on simple prompts.
  • UI/UX Improvements: It can research and implement UI improvements, add dummy content, and improve responsiveness.
  • Iterative Development: Users can provide feedback and refine the generated code through follow-up prompts.

Perplexity Discover:

  • Curated News: A platform for exploring news stories and research curated by Perplexity users.
  • Creating and Sharing Articles: Users can create their own news articles based on existing information and share them with others.

Perplexity Library:

  • Thread and Page Management: Organizes past threads and created pages.
  • Collections: Allows for grouping and sharing related threads.

AI Foundations Community:

The author mentions AI Foundations, a community where he learned about Perplexity and other AI tools. It's described as a learning and networking space with live calls, courses, and a focus on advanced AI topics.

Favorite Feature:

The author highlights Perplexity's ability to conduct in-depth research and generate relevant search queries as his favorite feature. He also mentions its usefulness for fact-checking news stories.

In conclusion, this text presents Perplexity as a versatile and powerful tool for various tasks, including research, coding, writing, and staying informed. Its combination of search capabilities, access to advanced AI models, and user-friendly interface makes it a valuable resource for both individuals and professionals.