Perplexity AI Inc. today introduced a browser called Comet that uses artificial intelligence to automate manual tasks for users.

Comet is based on Chromium, the open-source software engine that underpins Chrome. That means Perplexity’s browser supports Chrome extensions and allows users to bring over their bookmarks. Another benefit of Chromium is that it’s widely supported by websites, which avoids compatibility-related technical issues.

Comet extends Chromium with a set of Perplexity-powered AI features. The company’s namesake search engine is set as the default option for users. Additionally, a sidebar provides access to an AI assistant that can automate a wide range of browser actions.

Online shopping is one of the tasks that Perplexity promises to speed up. According to the company, Comet’s embedded AI assistant can help users compare products and e-commerce platforms. The browser could, for example, find the online store that offers the fastest shipping or most favorable return policy.

Perplexity also promises to streamline online research. When users launch Comet’s AI assistant, it gains access to the information in open tabs. That removes the need to copy the text necessary for a query manually and paste it into the sidebar.

It’s unclear which large language models power Comet. To minimize inference costs, Perplexity might be relegating queries that don’t require a reasoning model to more affordable, lightweight LLMs.

Comet is available as part of Perplexity Max, a $200 monthly subscription that the company launched last week. The plan includes a version of Perplexity’s search engine that uses reasoning models to answer queries. There’s also a feature called Labs that automates tasks such as generating data visualizations.

In addition to Perplexity Max subscribers, Comet will become available to users who had signed up for a waitlist ahead of today’s launch. Perplexity will roll out the browser to those users “over the summer.” It’s unclear when Comet will become generally available.

Currently, the browser can run on Windows and macOS. Perplexity’s website states that it plans to add support for more operating systems in the coming months. That hints that the company may be working on mobile versions of Comet.

Another way Perplexity could expand the browser’s reach is by launching a business version. Enterprise browsers typically offer tools that allow administrators to centrally manage configuration settings, monitor usage and block cybersecurity risks. Some products in the category also include a cloud-based sandbox for safely opening webpages.

The introduction of Comet follows reports that Perplexity is in talks to raise funding at a $14 billion valuation. That number may go up if the browser’s early adoption rates prove encouraging.

At the same time, the browser may make Apple Inc. less likely to sign the partnership that it’s reportedly considering to ink with Perplexity. Comet competes with Safari in certain respects. Last month, Bloomberg reported that Apple has also weighed the possibility of buying Perplexity.

Image: Perplexity