Perplexity Launches 'AI Computer'

Perplexity's "Computer" isn't a single AI model but an orchestration system. It uses Anthropic's Claude Opus for core reasoning and then delegates sub-tasks to other specialized models, such as Gemini for deep research, Grok for speed, and Veo 3.1 for video generation. The system operates within a secure cloud sandbox, giving it access to a browser, filesystem, and code interpreter to execute its assigned tasks. This allows it to handle complex, long-running workflows like building interactive web apps, conducting financial analysis with report generation, or automating market research from start to finish. The company was founded in August 2022 by a team with deep roots in the AI industry. CEO Aravind Srinivas previously held research positions at OpenAI, Google Brain, and DeepMind, while other co-founders came from places like Meta AI. Since its founding, Perplexity's valuation has grown at a blistering pace, reaching over $1 billion by April 2024 and a reported $20 billion by September 2025. The company has raised over $1.5 billion from a high-profile list of investors that includes Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Perplexity's business model is based on a freemium structure, with a free version and a $20/month "Pro" subscription that unlocks more advanced models. The company also offers enterprise-level plans and is approaching $200 million in annual recurring revenue, serving over 30 million active users. This launch marks a strategic shift from Perplexity's origins as a conversational "answer engine." The company first distinguished itself by providing direct answers with citations, and has progressively moved toward agentic systems with products like its AI-powered browser "Comet" and now the "Computer" platform.