Perplexity Launches 'Computer' to Automate Workflows
AI startup Perplexity has launched "Computer," a multi-model AI system that can autonomously create and execute entire business workflows. The platform orchestrates various AI models to handle complex tasks like research and data analysis without human intervention, signaling a major step toward end-to-end enterprise automation.
Founded in 2022, Perplexity has rapidly achieved a valuation of $20 billion as of September 2025, backed by $1.22 billion in funding from prominent investors including Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. The San Francisco-based startup was founded by Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, a team with backgrounds in AI, machine learning, and backend systems. Perplexity Computer operates as a sophisticated orchestration layer, coordinating 19 different specialized AI models to execute complex tasks. It uses Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6 as its central reasoning engine to break down a user's goal into sub-tasks, then delegates that work to the most suitable model, such as Google's Gemini for deep research or Nano Banana for image generation. This multi-model approach is a strategic bet that the future of AI lies not in a single monolithic model, but in the intelligent coordination of multiple specialized systems. Unlike single-model platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity Computer treats AI models as interchangeable specialists, which can be swapped out as more advanced versions become available. The platform is designed for long-running, autonomous workflows that can continue for hours or even months without direct supervision. Each task runs in a secure, isolated cloud environment with its own filesystem and browser, allowing the system to find API keys, code applications, and perform other complex actions. Use cases range from generating branded slide decks on competitors to developing and deploying a landing page for a product launch. For financial analysis, it can create multi-sheet spreadsheets analyzing capital expenditures and cash flow, while for marketing, it can conduct sentiment analysis on social media mentions. Perplexity Computer is available exclusively to Perplexity Max subscribers for $200 per month, which includes a set number of usage credits. This positions the tool for enterprise users and professionals engaged in high-stakes research and decision-making, a deliberate shift from a broad consumer focus.
