When AI Meets Gen Z Humor

In a move that blends street-smart humor with cutting-edge technology, Perplexity AI’s latest collaboration with CarryMinati is making waves across Indian social media. The video features CarryMinati — India’s biggest YouTube entertainer — in a comedic exchange with Maasijeevi, the Delhi University professor and civil services coach known for his mock interviews.

The setup is simple yet sharp. CarryMinati, playing the role of a chaotic Gen Z student, tosses around words like “rizz,” “aura farming,” and “delulu,” leaving Maasijeevi completely puzzled. When the professor calls him out, CarryMinati turns to his phone, asks Perplexity to define “boomer” in Hindi, and gets an instant audio reply — perfectly timed and naturally funny.

The moment is quick, casual, and precisely what Perplexity is aiming for: humanizing AI by inserting it seamlessly into everyday conversations.

Perplexity’s Growing Presence in India

This collaboration comes right after The Rebel Kid’s viral Mykonos campaign, where she shared how Perplexity helped her at 2 a.m. while traveling abroad. That post was tied to Airtel’s offer — a free one-year Perplexity subscription worth ₹17,000 for select customers. Interestingly, while CarryMinati’s video doesn’t tag Airtel directly, the telecom giant’s offer gets a smart plug through the dialogue itself, showing how the two brands are working in tandem to expand awareness.

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Perplexity’s recent collaborations signal a clear strategy shift: moving beyond the tech community and reaching India’s wider youth audience. In a country where “ChatGPT” has become synonymous with AI, Perplexity wants to carve out its own identity — not as a research tool, but as a friendly, conversational companion.

Why Influencers Are the Perfect Bridge

Choosing CarryMinati and The Rebel Kid wasn’t random. Both creators excel at storytelling that feels relatable, spontaneous, and crisp. They know how to make short-form content feel natural rather than branded, and that’s crucial for Perplexity’s positioning.

CarryMinati’s humor brings AI into pop culture language. When he jokes about “boomers” and “rizz,” it’s not about promoting a product — it’s about showing that AI can understand, respond to, and even participate in Gen Z slang. That relatability gives the chatbot a personality that feels less robotic and more like a companion.

For The Rebel Kid, her collaboration with Perplexity was about lifestyle — using AI while traveling abroad and positioning the product as a problem-solver in real-life scenarios. The two influencer stories together paint a clear picture: Perplexity is not just an information tool; it’s a brand trying to live alongside users in daily moments of curiosity, confusion, and humor.

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A Subtle Rivalry with ChatGPT

Perplexity’s India push also comes as competition heats up in the AI space. OpenAI’s ChatGPT recently launched its first outdoor campaign in India — a minimal, white-themed billboard series focused on creativity and calm communication. While ChatGPT aims for sophistication and quiet confidence, Perplexity is taking the opposite route — social, conversational, and playful.

By tapping into meme culture and influencer storytelling, Perplexity is building its reputation as the “friendlier AI.” It’s less about technical features and more about how the brand fits into pop culture — an approach tailor-made for India’s massive young internet audience.

The Bigger Marketing Shift

Perplexity’s collaborations mark a turning point in how tech brands communicate in India. Instead of relying on jargon or features, AI companies are now leaning into humor, relatability, and culture. CarryMinati’s collaboration is more than just an ad — it’s an experiment in making AI feel human, emotional, and meme-worthy.

 

It also reflects a larger shift where creators aren’t just brand endorsers but cultural translators, bridging the gap between complex technology and everyday experience.

What Comes Next

As AI tools become part of mainstream life, campaigns like these show how brand storytelling is evolving. The next generation of users isn’t impressed by specs — they connect with tone, wit, and authenticity. By using creators like CarryMinati, Perplexity is positioning itself not as a competitor to ChatGPT but as a relatable sidekick for the Indian Gen Z internet.

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The collaboration’s success also hints at what’s next for influencer marketing in India: creators who don’t just sell but humanize technology.

 

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