In a major move bridging sports and technology, global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has entered into a strategic investment and worldwide partnership with the artificial intelligence company Perplexity AI. The announcement was made by the AI startup, founded by Arvind Srinivas, on 4 December.
Ronaldo's Vision and the Perplexity x CR7 Hub
Perplexity AI stated that this collaboration aligns Ronaldo's well-known dedication to self-improvement with an AI platform designed for high-performance users. The company revealed that Ronaldo himself is an active user of their answer engine, relying on it during critical moments such as preparing award speeches and major public announcements.
Ronaldo described this partnership as the start of a long-term vision. A central feature of this alliance is the launch of the "Perplexity x CR7" digital hub. This dedicated online space promises to be an interactive experience, consolidating more than two decades of Ronaldo's legendary football career into one immersive platform.
Fans visiting the hub can explore his entire career journey, view rare photographs, browse through specially curated questions, and relive his most iconic goals with detailed backstories. The partnership will also introduce more exclusive content, experiences, and merchandise over time. The hub is accessible directly via a dedicated link on the Perplexity website.
Perplexity AI's Expansion into Conversational Commerce
This high-profile partnership follows closely on the heels of another significant product launch by Perplexity. On 26 November, the company introduced a new conversational AI shopping assistant for users in the United States.
Initially available on desktop and web applications, the assistant is set to roll out on Perplexity's iOS and Android mobile apps in the coming weeks. This tool uses natural language prompts to understand user requests and provide highly personalised product recommendations.
The AI is designed to learn from past searches and user patterns. For instance, if a user has previously shown a preference for mid-century modern design, asking about a desk lamp will yield options matching that specific aesthetic, rather than generic or advertiser-pushed results.
Strategic Partnerships and User Experience
To power this shopping experience, Perplexity has partnered with PayPal to handle payment processing. This arrangement is intended to keep retailers at the center of each transaction as the official merchant, while also giving them full visibility into their customer base. The company reports that users who engage with this personalised, conversational shopping interface show a significantly higher intention to complete a purchase.
The dual announcements of Ronaldo's investment and the new shopping assistant mark a period of aggressive expansion for Perplexity AI. The startup is positioning itself not just as a search and answer engine, but as a multifaceted AI platform capable of powering everything from fan engagement for global icons to redefining the future of e-commerce.
