AI-powered browsers are the next big thing, as AI is also taking over the search engine landscape. You get an AI overview whenever you search for something on Google. Obviously, Perplexity had to jump into the race and introduce its new model, Comet AI. Think of it as a Chrome alternative or more like a completely new browser with more intelligence built in.
What is Comet AI?
Built on Chromium with AI
Comet AI is built on Chromium, not the element. It’s an open-source browser project that powers other browsers such as Chrome and Bing. But Preplexity isn’t just using chromium to make its AI smart. Preplexity aims to create a whole new AI browser with virtual assistant features. Comet AI can schedule meetings, calls, and even open new tabs for you on command. Crazy, right?
Challenges Posed by AI Web Scraping
Comet AI is built on Chromium, not the element. It’s an open-source browser project that powers other browsers such as Chrome and Bing. But Preplexity isn’t just using chromium to make its AI smart. Preplexity aims to create a whole new AI browser with virtual assistant features. Comet AI can schedule meetings, calls, and even open new tabs for you on command. Crazy, right? You don’t have to scroll or skip to new tabs Comet’s got it.
Comet AI Capabilities
The real ability of Comet AI is that it can book stuff, write replies, fill forms, etc. At this rate, all you have to do is open the browser and give instructions to Comet AI, and it’ll do everything on its own. This is not just a search and read AI, it can think and act upon it without giving false or hallucinated replies. Unlike ChatGPT or Gemini, it can think and act upon it. While providing you the real time and correct information.
Comet AI as a Thought Partner
As reported by TechCrunch, CEO Aravind Srinivas has been hyping Comet AI like it’s his company’s moonshot. And for real? It kind of is. He’s called it the start of an “operating system” that enables people to do pretty much anything with one AI layer. Browse, organize, and transact, no app-switching required. His goal? To become your go-to browser. Because when Perplexity is what you open first thing every morning, clicks and impressions go through the roof. And that translates to more queries, more data, and a tighter AI feedback loop. Honestly, he’s right. Browsers are sticky. If Comet will become people’s go to browser, it’ll soon become a major competitor of Google
Privacy & Data Handling
Now, the trust issue. Here’s where Comet AI makes the great move, all your data stays local and private. Your browsing history isn’t training the AI model. Comet AI’s designed with privacy in mind. That means your browsing data is stored locally, and Perplexity says it won’t feed your private activity into its training models. In today’s world where big tech giants are constantly web scraping or simply stealing the data, that a huge commitment. Whether they keep that promise long-term is a different conversation, but at least they’re starting with it.
Subscription Model & Access
Comet AI isn’t out for everyone yet. If you’re not on the $200/month Max plan or on the early invite list. Then you’re sitting on the sidelines for now, sadly. But that early price tag? It’s about more than access. You’re buying into early access to use the latest browser with all the new features, and helping with beta-testing the future in real time. So, yeah some things do come at a price.
Role of AI Web Scraping
Behind the scenes, Comet AI uses web scraping to pull info from multiple sources and sort it out. But unlike typical scraping, it just vacuums everything up from hyperlinks to every small detail. Comet’s is operative in many ways. It reads, it interprets and it functions. You ask something, and instead of sending you to ten different links, it gives you a smart answer right away, context included, without nonsensical AI bluff or hallucinations.
Challenges & Industry Response
Of course, not everyone impressed. Media houses aren’t pleased either with their content being used for AI responses without direct payment or compensation. So, Perplexity’s started a publisher partnership program, likely to avoid lawsuits and PR damage. But still, it’s a thin line to walk, but don’t take they content creator’s work and use it as their own database. Meanwhile, the competition is heating up. Chrome and Safari still reign in the market, but Comet’s not the only one in the AI browser game. The Browser Company’s just released Dia, which also does the same things. OpenAI’s likely cooking up something of their own as well, and they already have some OG Chrome engineers. So yeah, Comet’s not the only one in the game.
Future Outlook
Comet AI isn’t perfect. But it’s aiming for something real, unlike the other AI models. Where other browsers are cautiously playing with AI features. Comet dives headfirst into full-on AI-first design. If Perplexity plays this right and solves the reliability issues, Comet could go from “cool idea” to serious Chrome competitor. Will people actually switch browsers, though? That’s the bigger battle. But as of now, Google’s not the only option anymore.
Until we meet next, scroll!
