Perplexity Rewrites AI Browsing Rules with Comet

Artificial intelligence company Perplexity has launched what it claims is the world's first "AI browser," setting the stage for a new battleground that could fundamentally reshape how users interact with the web.

- Vishal Mathur

The company's Comet browser, currently available to subscribers of its $200-per-month Perplexity Max plan on Windows and Mac devices, represents what chief executive Aravind Srinivas describes as a platform "designed to be a thought partner and assistant."

The launch comes as industry speculation mounts that OpenAI may be preparing its own AI browser launch within weeks, potentially escalating competition in a market that has been dominated by Google's Chrome, Microsoft's Edge, and Apple's Safari for years.

Unlike conventional browsers enhanced with AI add-ons, Comet integrates AI capabilities directly into core browsing functions. The browser uses Perplexity's proprietary search engine and large language model, accessible through a sidebar that can answer questions about any webpage content.

HT has not used the Comet browser yet, and therefore it is difficult to judge the balance of potential versus promise.