Virgin Media O2 partners with Perplexity for AI search access

The telecommunications industry continues to embrace artificial intelligence as Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) announces a partnership with Perplexity to provide customers with free access to an AI-powered search engine.

Partnership details: VMO2 is offering its O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers one year of complimentary access to Perplexity Pro, an advanced AI research tool typically costing £150 annually.

• The offer is available through VMO2’s Priority program until May 2025
• Customers can claim the benefit via the Priority app or website
• The service provides AI-generated answers with verified citations and enhanced search capabilities

Technical capabilities: Perplexity Pro leverages multiple sophisticated AI models to deliver comprehensive search results and interactive features.

• Users can choose between different AI models including Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet, OpenAI’s GPT-4 Omni, and Perplexity’s own Sonar model
• The platform includes Pro Search, which breaks down complex queries into manageable steps
• A conversational interface with voice mode enables natural interactions with the AI system

Market research insights: Consumer adoption of AI technology in the UK shows promising trends according to VMO2’s recent survey.

• 73% of British consumers report increasing openness to AI technology
• 67% use AI for product review research
• 59% employ AI for travel planning
• 41% seek personal advice through AI tools
• Half of surveyed Brits acknowledge AI’s positive impact on their home life

Leadership perspective: Key executives from both companies emphasize the partnership’s focus on accessibility and practical applications.

• Lisa Johnstone, VMO2’s Director of Priority, describes the service as “having an expert in your pocket” for daily tasks
• Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, highlights the platform’s ability to deliver reliable answers without users needing to navigate through SEO-driven content

Additional initiatives: VMO2 demonstrates broader commitment to AI innovation through complementary projects.

• The company recently launched Daisy, an AI-powered virtual “Granny” designed to combat fraud
• Daisy can engage scammers in extended conversations, keeping them occupied for up to 40 minutes
• The tool was developed in collaboration with prominent scambaiter Jim Browning as part of O2’s “Swerve the Scammers” campaign

Strategic implications: This partnership signals a growing trend of telecommunications providers integrating AI services into their core offerings, potentially reshaping how consumers interact with search technology while addressing practical concerns like fraud prevention.