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Perplexity CEO reveals Sam Altman’s simple career advice
Srinivas said Altman once advised him to focus on tasks that come naturally to him but seem difficult to others
Aravind Srinivas, the co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, has revealed a piece of career advice from Sam Altman that played a key role in shaping his journey in artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking on a podcast, Srinivas said Altman once advised him to focus on tasks that come naturally to him but seem difficult to others — a principle that helped boost his confidence early in his career.
According to Srinivas, the insight proved especially meaningful during his time at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Without formal training in machine learning, he participated in a data science competition similar to Kaggle, relying on experimentation rather than coursework.
By testing tools like scikit-learn and learning through hands-on practice, Srinivas not only developed his skills but also won the competition — reinforcing his belief in his natural aptitude for artificial intelligence.
He later pursued a PhD at University of California Berkeley and went on to work at leading AI research organisations before launching Perplexity AI in 2022.
Since its founding, the startup has grown rapidly, reaching a reported valuation of around $9 billion and emerging as a competitor in the AI-powered search space.
Srinivas said Altman’s advice continues to resonate, emphasising that identifying and trusting one’s inherent strengths can be more impactful than strictly following traditional educational paths.
His journey highlights a broader lesson for aspiring professionals in AI: natural curiosity, experimentation, and self-belief can be just as critical as formal training in achieving long-term success.
