In a bold proclamation that’s rattling the tech world, Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, said his company’s latest invention—an AI-powered web browser called Comet—can automate two of the most ubiquitous white collar roles: recruiters and executive assistants.
This browser is much more than common AI chatbots like ChatGPT. While AI chatbots are used to either answer questions or generate text, Comet, is effectively a real digital employee—doing work, sending emails, scheduling meetings, coordinating calendars, and revising documents. Now, let’s take a closer look at Comet’s considerable capabilities, why Srinivas believes it could replace some white-collar workers, what that means for the future of work.
What is the Comet Browser?
Think of Comet as an AI browser meant to automate the repetitive office work you do naturally from email, documents, and productivity tools, in a way that’s described as conversational. Comet goes beyond the traditional browser that simply gives you information, Comet intends to take action by:
- Access your emails and calendars
- Complete forms
- Send messages
- Cross reference data
- Process documents
- Schedule appointments
- Auto-generate reports
Aravind Srinivas claimed the biggest differentiator of Comet is that it integrates with Gmail, Google Calendar, LinkedIn, and Google Sheets for seamless and automated work across platforms without manually switching between different applications.
The AI browser is currently in beta exclusive for invite-only testers and premium subscribers of the software but is expected to roll out publicly soon.
Job 1: Recruiters
Recruiting involves modeling mundane, repetitive workflows, including:
- Finding candidates on LinkedIn
- Sending outbound emails
- Tracking candidates’ responses
- Interviewing candidates
- Updating spreadsheets
- Writing meeting minutes
Srinivas, who builds and works with AI tools at Zapier, argues that “one week’s worth of work for a recruiter” can now be performed with a single command in Comet.
As an example, Comet can search for good profiles to reach out to on LinkedIn, email those profiles to them, track their reply in Google Sheets, block off interview times to schedule on Google calendar, and summarize the candidate profile – all once that first command is issued!
From this sort of automation, new technologies can help cut hiring time and time of people – especially for larger companies.
🧾 Job #2: Executive Assistants
Executive assistants are often asked to do many little things, but they are all significant tasks, such as:
- Managing the boss’s calendar
- Scheduling meetings
- Administering emails
- Making reminders
- Following up with teams
- Communicating updates
Comet can help with many of these actions. For example, if you asked Comet to “schedule a meeting with Sarah next week” it will automatically find open time, send invites, and block the calendar. It can also summarize past meetings and recommend follow-ups.
As Srinivas mentions, Comet is not a tool. Comet works as a “co-pilot” for modern workers facilitating people to avoid or diminishes friction from their operational workflow.
Comet = AI Office Assistant + Browser
Srinivas refers to Comet as a “general-purpose AI agent” and aspires to have it be the AI operating system for the office. Instead of operating as a standalone tool, it functions from within a browser but is capable of taking intelligent action across apps or services.
While there’s the occasional slip-up—like double booking meetings and incorrectly interpreting an email, the Perplexity team is constantly working on improving the reasoning power of the AI. Srinivas is hopeful that accuracy will continue to improve from future models such as GPT-5 and Claude 4.5.
What This Means for the Future of Work
While some express concern that this technology may end jobs as we know them, others argue that it will change the nature of work, not end it. By automating repetitive tasks, tools like Comet may create more space for professionals to focus on strategic thinking, creative ideas, and relationship building.
Aravind Srinivas believes that now is the time to accept and embrace AI. Those who ride the AI wave and use it to enhance their productivity will be in high demand. Others, however, could fall behind.
Companies implementing Comet or similar AI tools are not just looking at reduced costs or improved speed or accuracy across various departments, but they need to think about retraining employees and how to change jobs as a result.
Conclusion
Overall, Aravind Srinivas is not releasing just another AI tool with Comet, but a new vision for the workplace. One where browsers become more than just a way to browse—they become ways to work, think, plan, and do.
This AI browser could soon make you the smartest co-worker you’ve ever had, whether you’re a recruiter, assistant or just someone getting used to the new digital world.
