Perplexity CEO’s Advice to Young Indians: Learn AI, Not Just Scroll Instagram

Why Perplexity CEO’s Comment Is All Over the News

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, has delivered a striking message to the younger generation, advising them to spend less time doomscrolling on Instagram and more time learning how to use artificial intelligence. His statement comes at a time when the pace of AI innovation is astonishing—technologies are evolving every three to six months—and those who fail to adapt risk being left behind.

In India, his message resonates especially strongly. Perplexity recently topped the App Store charts, overtaking even ChatGPT. This success follows a strategic partnership with Bharti Airtel, giving millions of Indian users access to the advanced AI tools that Srinivas believes are vital for staying employable in a disrupted job market.

Who Is Aravind Srinivas?

• Founder and CEO of Perplexity AI

• Originally from India

• Former PhD candidate at Stanford University

• Leading the development of cutting-edge AI search tools

• Proponent of accessible, real-time information technology

Under his leadership, Perplexity has emerged as a serious challenger in the AI space, focusing on real-time answers with citations, conversational capabilities, and innovation through tools like its AI-native browser called Comet.

Why This Is Trending Right Now

Real-Time Momentum

• The remarks were made on July 20–21, 2025

• Spike in Google Trends searches for “Perplexity CEO”, “AI skills”, “Instagram vs AI”

• Coverage by major news outlets and tech platforms

• Public interest due to rising AI-related job disruption in India

Immediate Relevance

• Perplexity became the top-ranking app in India

• Airtel provided complimentary access to advanced AI models

• Widespread discussion about youth readiness for future job markets

• Concerns over addiction to social media and its impact on productivity

Key Message: Master AI or Risk Obsolescence

Aravind Srinivas’s central idea is clear: AI proficiency is no longer optional. As the CEO noted, people using AI “at the frontier” will be far more employable than those who aren’t. His warning comes as AI capabilities redefine what it means to be efficient, skilled, and competitive in any workplace.

He also acknowledged how difficult keeping pace with AI can be, stating that humans have historically not adapted very quickly to rapid technological changes. But that’s no longer a luxury—adapting now is essential.

The Instagram Critique: Cultural Priorities in a Digital Age

What made Srinivas’s statement go viral wasn’t just the mention of AI—it was his direct challenge to Instagram usage. By labeling doomscrolling as a waste of precious time, he tapped into growing concerns over digital distractions and their long-term effects on attention, learning, and employability.

Health experts have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the cognitive cost of endless scrolling. Srinivas’s call is more than technological—it’s cultural. It urges young people to recalibrate how they spend their time and what skills they cultivate.

AI Tools: Not Just for Coders

Importantly, Srinivas stressed that you don’t need to be an engineer to benefit from AI tools. Instead, learning to interact with models, generate content, perform research, or analyze data using AI interfaces can significantly boost professional potential. He pointed to the increasing capabilities of tools like Gemini, Claude, and GPT models, which can handle everything from essay writing to product prototyping.

Entrepreneurship Is the New Safety Net

One of Srinivas’s most powerful points was about entrepreneurship. As AI threatens conventional jobs, the safety net may not be employment but entrepreneurship. He believes displaced workers can either start AI-enabled ventures or join startups that build with these tools.

This perspective is shared by many industry leaders who view AI not as a destroyer of jobs but as a builder of entirely new economic pathways. For India, with its strong tradition of tech innovation and a massive youth population, this could represent a generational shift.

India’s Perplexity Surge: Case Study in Digital Transformation

India's growing appetite for AI was proven by Perplexity’s meteoric rise in app store rankings. Contributing factors included:

• Nationwide access to Perplexity Pro through telecom integrations

• Popular features like image generation, code support, and academic research tools

• Real-time performance, faster responses, and native citations

• Emphasis on usability, enabling non-tech-savvy users to benefit

This adoption has made it easier for young Indians to act on Srinivas’s advice—AI is not just available, it’s accessible.

FAQ

Q1: What exactly did the Perplexity CEO say?

He advised young users to stop wasting time scrolling Instagram and focus on using AI tools to become more employable.

Q2: Why is this significant for India?

India has one of the largest youth populations, and AI adoption is accelerating rapidly. His message aligns with urgent national concerns about future-proofing careers.

Q3: Is Srinivas suggesting Instagram should be avoided entirely?

Not necessarily. His point is about balancing entertainment with skill development—prioritizing tools that build your future.

Q4: What is Perplexity AI?

It is an AI-powered search and research engine that provides fast, cited, real-time answers across multiple data models.

Q5: Can everyone access Perplexity Pro in India?

Yes, through recent partnerships, millions of users now have free or subsidized access to Perplexity’s premium features.

Conclusion: Srinivas's Advice Is a Blueprint for Youth Empowerment

Aravind Srinivas’s message is timely, disruptive, and extremely relevant. In a world rapidly reshaped by machine learning and automation, his call for digital prioritization resonates deeply.

For India’s youth, the takeaway is clear—AI is the language of tomorrow. Spending time mastering these tools today can mean the difference between being a passive observer and an active builder of the future.