AI startup Perplexity's valuation rose to $20 billion in fresh funding talks. It's a $2 billion jump from its last fundraise in July.

CNBC's MacKenzie Sigalos reports on news regarding Perplexity.

Artificial intelligence search startup Perplexity AI Inc. is reported to be seeking to raise new funding on a $20 billion valuation, a month after the company last raised $100 million on an $18 billion valuation.

The AI search startup looks less like an acquirer and more like a company to be acquired, but its CEO understands that optics matter.

Tuesday’s disclosure that Perplexity wants to buy Chrome may be intended to influence a federal judge more than Google/Alphabet. Either way, it’s getting a lot of attention, which might have been Perplexity’s primary goal.

There is so much capital floating around in the artificial intelligence sphere currently that even a cash-poor firm like Perplexity can secure enough investment to splurge on Chrome. Reuters reports that the all-cash offer is funded by various venture funds, but Perplexity has not offered specifics.