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Understanding Perplexity: A Guide to Its Use

Overview of Perplexity in AI Toolkit

• Perplexity is positioned on a spectrum of AI tools, with creative tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini on one end and information-focused tools like Perplexity and Google Search on the other.

• For tasks requiring factual accuracy, such as health decisions or troubleshooting, Perplexity is recommended over more creative-oriented models.

Features of Perplexity

• Users can exclude their data from training while accessing conversation history under the library tab; this feature enhances privacy.

• The pro version does not provide access to other paid AI tools despite using similar underlying models due to different fine-tuning methods.

Customization Options

• The profile tab allows users to set custom instructions that apply across all conversations, enhancing personalization.

• Users are encouraged to customize their settings for better interaction; links for example prompts are provided for convenience.

Utilizing Focus Feature

• The focus feature enables users to narrow down sources for improved output quality based on specific needs (e.g., academic sources for research).

• Different source types can be selected depending on the query context, such as social media or video content.

Real-world Application Example

• Demonstrates how to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection issues using various sources from Apple’s help center and Reddit posts.

• Highlights how Perplexity provides structured instructions rather than requiring multiple clicks through search results.

Comparison with Google Search

• When searching for Olympic medal counts, Perplexity delivers accurate answers quickly compared to Google's less direct approach.

• Emphasizes that while both platforms have strengths, they serve different purposes effectively.

Collections Feature in Perplexity

• Introduces the collections feature which allows users to save queries related to future trips or projects efficiently.

Travel Agent Insights and AI Tools

Role of Perplexity as a Travel Agent

• The speaker instructs Perplexity to act as a seasoned travel agent with over 20 years of experience, focusing on local experiences in Japan that are tourist-friendly.

• This role assumption allows for tailored recommendations whenever a new conversation or thread is initiated within the collection.

Structured Outlines for Presentations

• The speaker demonstrates an advanced use case where Perplexity generates structured outlines for presentations using the SCQA framework, commonly used by top consulting firms.

• An example topic discussed is "gaming trends for the next few years," which relates to the speaker's full-time job, showcasing how Perplexity can provide immediate outlines for further development.

Comparison with Other AI Tools

• A comparison is made between Perplexity and other tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini regarding brainstorming creative ideas, specifically thumbnail concepts.

• The speaker notes that ChatGPT's responses were more creative and relevant compared to those from Perplexity, indicating limitations in high-brain intensive tasks.

Pro vs. Free Version Features

• The speaker discusses differences between the Pro version of Perplexity and its free counterpart, highlighting features such as preferred text-to-text and text-to-image models available only to Pro users.

• Pro users can utilize enhanced search capabilities (up to 600 times daily), yielding more detailed answers based on a broader range of sources compared to regular searches.

Additional Features and Use Cases

• The video mentions additional features not covered in detail, such as generating entire blog posts from prompts and publishing them in a Discover tab.