Former Baidu executives Eric Jing and Kay Zhu have joined forces to launch Genspark, an AI-powered search engine, which following a $60 million seed round last year, has now secured a $100 million Series A funding. Its valuation has soared from $260 million to $530 million, with the lead investor yet to be disclosed. Genspark has already crossed the milestone of 2 million monthly active users.
AI Agent Engine: Redefining the Web
Genspark positions itself as an AI Agent Engine, aiming to revolutionize the underlying data structure of the Web. It believes that AI Overview is merely a patch on the traditional search framework. The vision is to set new standards for the curation, access, and utilization of information, transforming the Web into a richer, more user-centric environment.
Deep Research and Beyond
The Deep Research feature of Genspark enhances its research capabilities, producing reports that are denser and more accurate. By leveraging various artificial intelligence architectures, Genspark ensures the reliability of the information. Recently, the company also launched a fashion segment, allowing users to try on brand clothing through photos and make direct purchases.
Competitive AI Search Landscape
Meanwhile, the AI search field is evolving rapidly. AI search engines like Perplexity enable users to obtain shopping links within search results and offer one-click checkout services. However, Genspark focuses more on traffic conversion through its try-on feature.
The rapid adoption of AI is transforming search behavior. AI search applications based on large models allow users to get answers directly through dialog boxes, gradually becoming a mainstream interaction method. Some观点 suggest that what will replace Google is not another Google-like search engine, but a redefined way of obtaining information.
The Rising Stars in AI Search Market
In the AI search market, Perplexity is valued at $9 billion with an ARR of $50 million, while You.com saw a 40-fold increase in revenue last year. The enterprise AI search market is also growing swiftly, with Glean valued at $4.6 billion and an ARR exceeding $100 million. Hebbia, focusing on the financial sector’s unstructured data search, saw its revenue grow 15-fold in 18 months, with an ARR reaching $13 million.
The Future of Search in the AI Era
Search in the AI era is emerging as a new medium, altering the way we interact with data. From Genspark to Hebbia, AI search engines are driving the industry forward by offering interactions that provide answers, reshaping our relationship with information in a blend of rigor, science, and a touch of humanity.
