Perplexity Launches Comet AI Browser Transforming Workplace Productivity

Perplexity AI has launched Comet, a free AI-native browser designed as an autonomous personal assistant to enhance productivity by integrating with platforms like Google Calendar and Gmail. The company also introduced Comet Plus, a $5 monthly news subscription that compensates major publishers from a $42.5 million revenue pool based on user engagement. The browser automates tasks such as email summarization, task management, and contextual exploration, aiming to transform office jobs, particularly recruitment and administrative roles, within six months. Perplexity's CEO, Aravind Srinivas, highlights Comet's potential to reduce new hires by streamlining workflows, potentially adding $5 trillion to global GDP, though this raises concerns about job displacement and infrastructure costs. The browser's AI integration could broadly accelerate digital workflow efficiencies, reshape user behavior toward more interactive information engagement, and influence regulatory approaches to privacy and market competition. Overall, Comet represents a significant advancement in AI-driven web productivity tools, with far-reaching economic, social, and political implications.