Perplexity Launches 'Computer' to Automate Workflows
AI startup Perplexity has unveiled “Perplexity Computer,” a multi-model AI system designed to create and execute entire business workflows. The platform aims to go beyond simple chatbots by automating complex, multi-step tasks for enterprise operations.
Founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, Perplexity has rapidly achieved a valuation of over $20 billion, backed by prominent investors including Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. The company is now shifting its focus from being a "knowledge engine" that answers questions to an "action engine" that executes tasks. Perplexity Computer's core function is orchestrating 19 specialized AI models, including Anthropic's Claude Opus and Google's Gemini. CEO Aravind Srinivas compares this to a conductor leading an orchestra, assigning sub-tasks like reasoning, coding, or writing to the best-suited model. This system operates as an "agentic" AI, designed to autonomously plan and execute multi-step projects that can run for hours or even months. It functions within a secure cloud sandbox where it can browse the web, manipulate files, and interact with other applications to complete its assigned goals. Use cases range from generating a business research report to designing, coding, and deploying a functional application from a single prompt. The platform can also be scheduled for continuous monitoring and recurring tasks, acting as an "always-on" digital worker. The launch positions Perplexity in the growing workflow automation market, which was valued at over $23 billion in 2025. It also serves as a competitor to open-source autonomous agents like OpenClaw, offering a more stable and secure alternative for complex workflows. Access to Perplexity Computer will be provided to the company's paid subscribers. It represents a broader industry trend moving beyond simple chatbots toward AI systems that can perform actions and deliver finished work.
