Internet reports that artificial intelligence search startup Perplexity is conducting a new round of financing talks at a valuation of US$14 billion, which is significantly higher than the front wheel but lower than the original target. The company, which is committed to building an AI search engine to compete with Google, recently adjusted its financing expectations after media reports that it had sought to raise US$1 billion at a valuation of US$18 billion. According to people familiar with the matter, Accel Partners is in talks to take the lead in investing $500 million in the startup. As a generative AI star company established in 2022, Perplexity focuses on reconstructing traditional Internet core services. Its AI search engine attempts to change the way users obtain information through natural language processing technology. Last year, Perplexity's valuation increased from $1 billion to $3 billion, and tripled again a few months later.