Perplexity AI has unveiled Perplexity Patents, an AI-driven research tool that merges open source data with patent intelligence.
Perplexity AI has launched Perplexity Patents, described by CEO Aravind Srinivas as “the world’s first AI patent research agent.” The tool is now available in free beta worldwide, offering users a simplified and conversational way to explore patent information using natural language queries rather than complex keyword syntax.
Designed to democratise intellectual property (IP) research, Perplexity Patents enables users to ask direct questions such as “Are there any patents on AI for language learning?” or “Key quantum computing patents since 2024?” It then delivers curated results with inline viewers and direct links to original documents.
The system supports follow-up questions, maintains context across searches, and suggests related topics, creating an interactive, AI-assisted research experience.
The platform stands out for its ability to detect conceptual similarities between documents, such as linking “fitness trackers” with “activity bands” or “health monitoring wearables.” Beyond patent databases, Perplexity Patents integrates academic papers, open source software repositories, and other public innovation data, allowing users to track emerging technologies and research patterns early.
By drawing insights from open-source repositories, the platform bridges open innovation ecosystems and structured patent systems, making open-source contributions traceable within the formal research landscape. This approach redefines IP intelligence as an open, conversational process accessible to engineers, developers, and researchers alike.
Perplexity Patents is currently free in beta for all users globally, with Pro and Max tiers offering expanded usage limits. The company also teased an upcoming product, Perplexity Scholar, aimed at bringing the same AI-powered accessibility to academic research.
