AI: Up next, 'AI Browsers'. RTZ #643
Back this December, in a post titled “Where we’re going we don’t need Browsers”, I highlighted that ‘a lot of people are working on the big idea’ of reinventing web browsers on desktops and mobile, with AI.
That we could see some cool experiments around this opportunity pretty soon in this AI Tech Wave. This would include companies like OpenAI, Google, and startups like The Browser Company, with its Arc browser and upcoming AI Dia project.
Well, AI native Search company Perplexity threw its hat in the ring here, with founder/CEO Aravind Srinivas announcing:
“Perplexity will be launching a new agentic browser: Comet very soon!”
“Browse like a Billionaire. What do you want to see in Comet ? Apart from all the usual suspect AI features like smarter Deep Research and basic agent workflows. Just the core browsing improvements that Chrome hasn’t shipped for ages. Please reply here!”
Of course as with AI Search, Perplexity is gunning for Google, now with its global market leading Chrome browser, with Apple’s Safari not too far behind. And of course OpenAI, which apparently also considering an AI browser.
As TechCrunch explains in “Perplexity teases a web browser called Comet”:
“AI-powered search engine Perplexity says it’s building its own web browser.”
“In a post on X on Monday, the company launched a signup list for the browser, which isn’t yet available. It’s unclear when it might be — or what the browser look like, even. But we do have a name: Comet.”
“Just like Perplexity reinvented search, we’re also reinventing the browser,” a Perplexity spokesperson told TechCruch via email. “Stay tuned for updates.”
“Perplexity’s browser will join a very crowded field, putting it mildly. Aside from incumbents like Chrome, there’s countless third-party alternative browsers out there. Many, like the upcoming Dia browser from The Browser Company, offer AI-powered features rivaling Perplexity’s own.”
It’s a logical next move for Perplexity, given the rapid innovation in AI product UIs, evolving chatbots to AI Reasoning and Agents:
“Perplexity may be betting that it can leverage its search engine user base to quickly ramp up and make some sort of a dent in the space with Comet.”
“Perplexity’s product portfolio is growing at a rapid clip. Just this month, the company released a “deep research” product to rival offerings from OpenAI, Google, and xAI. That followed on the heels of two big debuts in January: an AI-powered assistant for Android and an API for AI search.”
The company has been moving fast in a short period of time, almost like a US DeepSeek in its pace of activity and scrapiness by doing ‘more with less’.
“Founded in 2022, Perplexity has reportedly raised over $500 million in capital from VCs and is said to be valued at $9 billion. The AI-powered search engine is performing over 100 million queries each week as it expands monetization efforts like its advertising program.”
The company has also been navigating AI content tussles, much like its peers:
“A thorn in Perplexity’s side, however, is its legal tussles with publishers. News Corp’s Dow Jones and the NY Post have sued Perplexity over what they describe as a “content kleptocracy.” Many other news sites have expressed concerns that Perplexity closely replicates their content — just in October, The New York Times sent the startup a cease and desist.”
“Perplexity, which offers a revenue-sharing program for outlets, has said that it respects publisher content.”
Nevertheless, the fusion of AI Search and Browsing is almost here, from a range of companies, now including Perplexity with Comet. Stay tuned.
(NOTE: The discussions here are for information purposes only, and not meant as investment advice at any time. Thanks for joining us here)
