Will AI take away jobs? The answer is affirmative to a certain extent. But will AI-based browsers claim jobs too? According to the words of Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas, the answer is frighteningly positive. Srinivas’ upcoming AI-centric web browser, called Comet, is likely to take away jobs, says the CEO himself.
Srinivas has made a bold prediction regarding the future of office work, stating that their new AI browser, Comet, is set to automate the roles of recruiters and administrative assistants. Srinivas believes that while some tech leaders predict widespread job disruption due to AI, proficiency in new AI tools will ultimately increase an individual’s chances of staying employed with a job.
Comet browser designed to ‘automate’ tasks
The Comet web browser, as Srinivas says, is engineered to interact with various applications, including widely used platforms like Gmail and LinkedIn. Its capabilities extend to automating a range of tasks such as generating comprehensive candidate lists for recruitment, efficiently managing emails, coordinating complex calendars, and preparing for meetings. This level of automation promises to streamline administrative and HR-related functions within organisations.
Hence, this could affect job roles in administration and HR. Srinivas envisions a future where Comet evolves beyond a mere browser into a sophisticated AI operating system. This advanced system would continuously perform background tasks and execute commands given through natural language prompts, changing how people interact with their digital work environments. He suggests that users will be willing to pay premium prices for such useful and integrated automation, indicating a shift towards valuing efficiency and smart delegation to AI.
How to download and use Comet
Access to Perplexity’s Comet browser is currently through a tiered rollout, primarily focusing on paying users and early access. Here’s how one can get access:
Perplexity Max subscription: The most direct way to get immediate access to Comet is by subscribing to the Perplexity Max plan. This premium tier costs $200 per month and includes early access to the Comet browser.
Invite/Waitlist process: For users who are not on the Perplexity Max plan, access is being rolled out via an invite or waitlist process. You can typically sign up for this waitlist on the official Perplexity website. Some existing users on Reddit forums have also mentioned receiving invites if they were early to sign up for the waitlist, even if they were on a Perplexity Pro (a lower tier than Max) subscription.
Sidekick browser conversion: Some users have reported an unofficial method involving the “Sidekick Browser.” Installing Sidekick and then updating it has, for some, triggered a prompt to transition to Perplexity Comet as Sidekick is reportedly shutting down. This method might be specific to certain platforms (like Windows) and could be temporary.
Comet is available for both Mac and Windows users.
