Perplexity taps Lewis Hamilton and Eric André to bring AI to life in comedy short

Perplexity has released a comedy short starring seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and comedian Eric André (The Eric André Show, The Lion King, Man Seeking Woman). The short, produced by London-based Black-owned Sata Studios, highlights Perplexity’s athlete partnerships, showcasing shared values with top performers and the enthusiasm people have for the brand.

In this case, the short features Hamilton, a global partner and investor who embodies the brand’s values: curiosity, a drive for excellence, and the belief that champions are made by asking better questions.

“Perplexity is a tool I use to stay curious and keep learning, and working with the team and Eric to bring that to life in a way that really entertains people was brilliant,” Hamilton said. “The filming day was a lot of fun, and I hope people enjoy it and it genuinely highlights how Perplexity can help with any question and moment.”

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Playing on Hamilton’s racing fame and André’s comedic chops, the film focuses on what sets champions apart: the drive to keep asking questions.

The short, titled 'The Garage', follows André visiting his neighbour Hamilton, who is busy tinkering with his motorbike. When Hamilton asks André to pass him a tool, the clueless comedian turns to Perplexity for guidance.

The pair then chat about Hamilton’s plans in Brazil, with André showing surprising expertise on motorbikes and riding. Hamilton quickly reveals he knows just as much, demonstrating Perplexity’s responses to the comedian.

In a moment of panic, André grabs Hamilton’s phone and tosses it to the ground before making a quick exit. Hamilton shouts after him, demanding his phone back, only for André to cheekily tell him to buy a new one.

“We’ve all been there in that moment of panic when you’re trying to impress but have no idea what the answer to a question is,” said Stevie Amoh, co-founder of Sata Studios.

“It’s awkward, it’s tense, it’s comic gold, and that’s what we wanted to lean into. André is naturally hilarious, but Hamilton’s ability to improvise and play off him brought something special to set. He helped us take what can often feel like a digital experience and make it genuinely human," Amoh added. 

The film reflects Perplexity’s approach of partnering with talent who already love the product and thrive at the intersection of technology, sport, and culture. It follows a March 2025 short starring Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae, highlighting the company’s focus on cultural moments and sport.

Titled 'Perplexity Questions', the short puts Lee in an eerie room where he must answer three questions to advance. Each question escalates the stakes, starting with a freezing cold first challenge. Initially, Lee searches for answers on a browser called “Poogle,” only to be confronted with an overwhelming list of links. He quickly switches to Perplexity, which delivers the answer instantly, allowing him to move on. The challenge concludes with the question: “Who was the first Korean actor to win an Emmy award?” Lee smirks, knowing he is the correct answer.

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