A Wired investigation in June 2024 found that Perplexity AI, valued at $1 billion, was reproducing verbatim paragraphs from Forbes, Wired, Bloomberg, and other outlets — while its interface gave the impression of original AI-generated summaries. One test showed Perplexity reproducing an exclusive Forbes scoop about Hindenburg Research almost word for word without attribution. Forbes demanded Perplexity stop. The CEO responded by offering revenue sharing to publishers. Critics called it a 'plagiarism engine dressed up as a search product.'