Subvolts take Perplexity's CBO explains why AI agents are a durable business, not just a fleeting trend. May 7, 2026 - Developers
- Learn about the potential business models and competitive advantages for AI agents and multi-model systems.
- Business
- Understand the market viability of AI agents and how they might impact enterprise adoption and consumer AI growth.
- Everyday users
- Discover how AI assistants that use computers could change productivity and the future of AI search.
This is a solid interview with a key executive from a prominent AI search company discussing the future of AI agents.
AI Agents: Mirage Or Real Revolution? — With Dmitry Shevelenko
Audio streams from Alex Kantrowitz. Your place is remembered on this device.
From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Alex Kantrowitz interviews Dmitry Shevelenko, chief business officer at Perplexity, on the Big Technology Podcast. They discuss if AI agents, acting as computer-using assistants, will become a viable business. The conversation covers Perplexity's view on computer use as a productivity tool, consumer AI growth, and competitive advantages in multi-model orchestration, alongside AI search, enterprise adoption, and pricing.
This episode explores if AI assistants that can use computers will become a real business. It discusses how these tools could help people be more productive and what makes them different from current AI.
This episode offers insights into the practical business viability of AI agents, a concept actively explored by frontier labs like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Listeners will learn about Perplexity's perspective on consumer AI growth slowdowns and the strategic importance of multi-model orchestration. It is for business leaders and product strategists evaluating the next wave of AI applications beyond simple chatbots, particularly those interested in AI search and enterprise integration.
- HostAlex Kantrowitz
- GuestDmitry Shevelenkochief business officer, Perplexity
- Guest: Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer of Perplexity
- Show: Big Technology Podcast
- Length: 62 minutes
- Topic: AI agents as computer-using assistants and their business viability
- Discussion points: Perplexity's view on computer use as a productivity tool, consumer AI growth slowdown, multi-model orchestration
Dimitri Shevelenko is the chief business officer of Perplexity. Shevelenko joins Big Technology Podcast to discuss whether the AI industry’s shift toward agentic 'super apps' and computer-using assistants will become a real business. Tune in to hear why Perplexity believes computer use is a durable productivity tool, how it thinks about consumer AI’s growth slowdown, and why multi-model orchestration could be a competitive advantage. We also cover AI search, enterprise adoption, trust and permissions, Chinese open-source models, pricing, and the economics of AI demand. Hit play for a sharp conversation on where AI products are heading next.
Join Big Technology's AI Summit In San Francisco: https://summit.bigtechnology.com/
———
Enjoying Big Technology Podcast? Please rate us five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app of choice.
Want a discount for Big Technology on Substack + Discord? Here’s 25% off for the first year: https://www.bigtechnology.com/subscribe?coupon=0843016b
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- agentic
- Dmitry Shevelenko
- AI that can act on its own to complete tasks
- multi-model orchestration
- Dmitry Shevelenko
- Using multiple AI models together to achieve a result
59 min1 h 0556 min1 h 02Can AI Keep Growing Exponentially? Let’s Ask SemiAnalysis — With Dylan Patel and Jordan Nanos
WithDylan Patel, Jordan Nanos
1 h 05
38 min
45 min
Questions people ask
- What is the episode about?
- The episode discusses whether AI agents, which act as computer-using assistants, will become a real business, featuring Dmitry Shevelenko of Perplexity.
- What topics are covered?
- Topics include AI search, enterprise adoption, consumer AI growth, multi-model orchestration, pricing, and the economics of AI demand.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Alex Kantrowitz.