Perplexity launches AI agent for patent research
The artificial intelligence startup Perplexity has introduced a new patent research agent, designed to simplify a field often considered complex: the search and analysis of patents.
Traditionally, reviewing patents requires expertise in specialized databases and the use of precise keyword strings. Now, with Perplexity’s AI, users can simply ask a question in natural language to receive relevant results along with AI-generated summaries.
Simplified Queries with AI
Instead of entering complex queries, users can simply ask: “Are there patents on language learning by AI?” or “Key patents in quantum computing since 2024?”.
The Perplexity research agent then scans patent databases and returns a list of relevant results, each patent accompanied by a concise summary for quick understanding of its content.
More Intelligent Results than Simple Keyword Matching
Perplexity emphasizes that its tool goes beyond exact matches. For instance, a search for “fitness trackers” will also display patents related to:
- “activity bands”,
- “step-counting watches”,
- “health monitoring watches”.
The goal is to capture the intent behind the search rather than being limited to specific terms.
Expanded Research to Other Sources
The tool is not limited to patents; it can also explore scientific articles, public software deposits, or other relevant sources to identify prior art — a crucial point in the world of patents. This enables researchers, engineers, or specialized lawyers to check if an invention has already been described elsewhere, often a lengthy and tedious step.
The Perplexity Patent Research Tool is free during its beta phase. However, Pro and Max subscribers benefit from higher usage quotas and advanced configuration settings. The tool is accessible directly on the Perplexity website: just enter a query as if conducting a traditional search.
Why This Matters
Patent research is a major strategic concern for tech companies, researchers, and specialized lawyers. By making this task more accessible through AI, Perplexity democratizes a field previously reserved for experts — positioning itself as a direct competitor to professional tools like Google Patents, Lens.org, or WIPO Search.
Perplexity continues to expand its AI ecosystem with a useful and practical tool. Its intelligent patent search engine promises to transform how innovators explore the global technology landscape — a breakthrough that could accelerate research and development across many sectors.
