Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has made a significant claim regarding the company’s latest AI browser, Comet, suggesting it has the potential to eliminate the need for workforce expansion. Srinivas asserts that Comet’s ability to autonomously execute complex tasks can help companies reduce the expenses associated with hiring more employees while greatly improving productivity. Positioned as a competitor to Google Chrome, Comet is designed to serve as an intelligent digital assistant capable of handling almost all web-based tasks. The AI browser can directly enact actions on webpages, manage browser tabs, facilitate online shopping, book flights, and provide succinct summaries of web content—all in response to user queries.
Initially limited to Perplexity Max subscribers, Comet’s availability was recently broadened to include users globally after its waitlist expanded into the millions. Notably, the company had also made the browser free in India prior to its global rollout. Srinivas expressed his excitement about Comet’s potential in an interview with CNBC, emphasizing that its functions could transform digital work processes. He stated, “Instead of hiring one more person on your team, you could just use Comet to supplement all the work that you’re doing,” highlighting that the tool enables individuals to achieve more without increasing their workforce.
He estimates that the productivity boost from using Comet could equate to $10,000 per employee annually, showcasing the browser’s appeal for businesses aiming to enhance efficiency and cut costs. “It’s truly about delivering value and you being able to delegate tasks to it,” he noted, explaining how Comet serves as a personal digital assistant that alleviates workload pressures. Perplexity is optimistic that this productivity shift could have extensive global implications. Srinivas projects that “human digital knowledge work” contributes approximately $25 trillion to the global GDP and suggests that if tools like Comet can enhance productivity by just 20 percent, it could inject nearly $5 trillion into the world economy.
He reiterated, “It’s truly about delivering value and you being able to delegate tasks to it,” positioning Comet as a workforce enhancer rather than a job replacement, allowing individuals to concentrate on higher-level tasks while AI manages repetitive online activities. However, the CEO refrained from addressing possible job losses associated with Comet’s launch. His comments come at a time when AI adoption is altering the employment landscape globally, with IT giants like TCS and Accenture reportedly laying off thousands of employees due to automation. As AI evolves from a mere tool to a collaborator, Srinivas’ vision for Comet reflects a growing sentiment within the tech sector: future browsers will not only present information but will actively assist in completing tasks.
With Comet now freely accessible, Perplexity seeks to democratize AI-driven productivity, potentially heralding a new era in how people interact with the web and manage daily digital responsibilities.