Truth Social Uses Perplexity AI for Search, Can Restrict Sources
▼ Summary
– Perplexity is providing AI-powered search technology for Truth Social’s new search engine, Truth Search AI, which is currently available on the web and will soon enter Beta testing on mobile apps.
– Truth Social controls the sources the AI search engine uses, though Perplexity’s Sonar API retrieves current and verified information, even from sites that block its crawlers.
– Perplexity confirmed it has no control over the sources Truth Social limits the AI to, comparing it to using the API within a company or for private research.
– Initial tests by Axios showed Truth Search AI primarily cited conservative-leaning sources like Fox News, while Perplexity’s public search engine returned more diverse results.
– Trump recently issued an executive order targeting “biased AI,” criticizing DEI-related concepts as distorting AI accuracy, coinciding with Truth Search AI’s launch and OpenAI’s federal contract win.
Truth Social has partnered with AI startup Perplexity to launch an AI-powered search engine, though the platform retains control over which sources the tool references. The new feature, called Truth Search AI, is currently available on the web version of the social media platform, with plans to expand to mobile apps soon.
According to Trump Media, Perplexity’s technology delivers direct, fact-based answers with clear citations, aiming to broaden the information accessible to users. However, the platform can restrict the sources the AI pulls from, raising questions about potential bias in search results.
The search function relies on Perplexity’s Sonar API, which scours the web for up-to-date information, even bypassing sites that block its crawlers, and allows users to customize how responses are displayed. A Perplexity spokesperson confirmed that while the API retrieves accurate data, Truth Social ultimately decides which sources are included.
Early tests by Axios revealed that queries like “What happened on January 6, 2021?” and “Why was Donald Trump impeached?” predominantly cited Fox News, The Washington Times, and Epoch Times, with little diversity in sources. In contrast, Perplexity’s public search engine pulls from a broader range, including Wikipedia, NPR, and Politico.
Devin Nunes, CEO of Trump Media, stated that the platform will refine the search tool based on user feedback. Meanwhile, Perplexity emphasized its commitment to transparency, ensuring users can verify citations.
This development follows recent moves by the Trump administration to regulate AI, including an executive order targeting “biased AI” that criticizes concepts like systemic racism and DEI initiatives as distorting factual accuracy.
The launch coincides with major AI firms like OpenAI and Google securing approval to provide services to federal agencies. Notably, OpenAI struck a deal to offer ChatGPT Enterprise to government offices for just $1 annually.
As Truth Social expands its AI capabilities, scrutiny over source selection and neutrality is likely to intensify, particularly given the platform’s history of promoting curated content.
(Source: TechCrunch)
