Perplexity AI, the company behind the AI answer engine, held "Ask Tokyo," the first Tokyo edition of its global "Ask" event series, on May 12, 2026[1]. Executives from companies such as SoftBank and AstraZeneca took the stage to discuss how businesses can put AI to practical use, while Perplexity's visiting leadership unveiled the latest updates to its next-generation AI infrastructure in Japan for the first time.

A Tokyo Debut Following San Francisco and New York

"Ask Tokyo" was hosted by Perplexity AI, Inc. (headquartered in California, USA; co-founder and CEO Aravind Srinivas), the company that develops the AI answer engine "Perplexity"[1]. It marked the first Tokyo edition of the "Ask" series the company runs in cities around the world, following earlier events in San Francisco and New York[1].

The venue was the "SHIBUYA QWS Scramble Hall" on the 15th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, and it was held as an invitation-only, in-person event[1]. It ran on May 12, 2026, from 16:30 to 19:30 (with registration opening at 16:00), conducted in Japanese and English with simultaneous interpretation[1]. The theme was "When AI Becomes the Computer," centered on how AI is transforming both business and creativity[1].

The event was aimed at leaders and AI practitioners at Japanese enterprises, positioned as a forum where executives from leading companies share the practical know-how they have gained by introducing AI into their operations and transforming organizational productivity safely and effectively[1].

SoftBank and AstraZeneca Leaders Take the Stage to Discuss Practice and Governance

The speaker lineup brought together figures driving technology, healthcare, and data strategy[1]. The opening keynote, "When AI Becomes the Computer," was delivered by Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Perplexity AI, Inc.[1]

The following enterprise panel, "How Companies Implement AI in Society: Practice and Governance," featured Gen Miyazawa, Senior Executive Officer at SoftBank Corp.; Taka Horii, Founder and CEO of Taka Horii & Co. and former President and current Senior Advisor of AstraZeneca K.K.; and Tadahisa Kagimoto, Chairman of Kokumin Kenko Kiban (National Health Foundation)[1]. The discussion focused on how companies can balance the practical side of implementing AI in society with governance[1].

In addition, the enterprise keynote "Reliability, Accuracy, and Multi-Model Operations" was given by Shun Morita, APAC Representative of Perplexity AI, Inc., and the fireside talk welcomed VERBAL of m-flo, who is active as a Music Producer and Creative Director[1]. The day began with the 16:30 opening keynote and proceeded through the enterprise panel, the enterprise keynote, and the fireside talk, with a networking reception from 18:30[1].

Comet Browser and the "Comet Assistant" AI Agent Shown in Japan

For this Tokyo event, Perplexity's leadership and product team also visited Japan and unveiled the latest updates to its next-generation AI infrastructure in the country for the first time[1]. Although it was an enterprise-focused gathering, a distinctive point was that it presented the latest product developments directly to a domestic audience.

Perplexity is an AI company founded in 2022, with the mission to "power the world's curiosity"[1]. The company develops "Perplexity," an answer engine that responds to questions with inline citations, grounded in trustworthy sources and in-depth research[1]. It also offers "Comet Browser," described as the first AI-native web browser, which is equipped with the AI agent "Comet Assistant"[1].

The fact that a company that has built its strengths on answering with citations chose "Reliability, Accuracy, and Multi-Model Operations" as an enterprise keynote theme appears to reflect an emphasis on the accuracy and explainability that matter in corporate use. With its leadership themselves presenting product updates to the Japanese enterprise market, it is also evident that the company is setting its sights squarely on the domestic business sector.

Summary

Perplexity's "Ask Tokyo" was the Tokyo debut of its global "Ask" event series, bringing together executives from companies such as SoftBank and AstraZeneca, along with the head of Kokumin Kenko Kiban, to debate how enterprises should implement and govern AI. The visiting leadership unveiled the latest updates to its next-generation AI infrastructure in Japan for the first time, making it an opportunity to pitch the company's strategy—centered on its answer engine and the "Comet Browser"—directly to Japan's enterprise audience.

Source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000025.000157647.html