Quick Take
- Indian startups spend ₹9,000-₹80,000 monthly per recruiter, according to Perplexity CEO
- Comet AI browser automates recruiting and executive assistant tasks in seconds
- Rolling out to Pro users July 2025, premium pricing expected at $2,000+
- Claims “a recruiter’s week’s worth of work is just one prompt”
- Early testing shows strong automation capabilities with some limitations
Perplexity AI just unveiled Comet, an AI-powered browser that CEO Aravind Srinivas says could automate most recruiting tasks. The company claims this could slash the ₹9,000-₹80,000 monthly costs Indian startups typically spend per recruiter.
Srinivas outlined how the browser works during an appearance on The Verge’s Decoder podcast. Comet operates as an AI operating system that runs background tasks continuously while executing complex workflows through natural language prompts. The focus is on transforming two critical business functions: recruiting and executive assistance.
Game-Changing Automation Features
The browser automatically connects with Gmail, LinkedIn, and Google Calendar to streamline talent acquisition. Comet generates candidate lists, pulls contact information, and sends personalized outreach emails based on detailed criteria. “A recruiter’s week’s worth of work is just one prompt. It doesn’t even have to be a prompt—it should be proactive,” Srinivas explained.
Beyond recruiting, the AI tackles comprehensive executive assistant duties. Email management, calendar coordination, tracking responses, updating spreadsheets, resolving scheduling conflicts, and preparing meeting briefs all become automated processes. Tasks that traditionally take hours now complete in seconds.
Major Impact for Indian Startups
Indian startups consistently struggle with talent acquisition costs and resource allocation. Traditional recruiting processes eat up weeks of valuable resources that could go toward product development and market expansion. Comet’s automation promises to fundamentally change how emerging businesses handle human resources.
The financial benefits go beyond immediate cost savings. Srinivas positions the technology as a premium investment: “At scale, if it helps you make a few million bucks, does it not make sense to spend $2,000 for that prompt?” This pricing approach suggests Perplexity is targeting enterprise clients ready to pay substantial fees for meaningful automation.
Market Competition Heats Up
TechCrunch reports Comet began rolling out to Perplexity Pro users in July 2025, with broader availability planned for later phases. Early testing shows strong automation capabilities alongside acknowledged limitations, though specific performance data hasn’t been released.
The AI browser space is getting crowded fast as major tech companies accelerate development. Google Chrome keeps adding AI features, while The Browser Company launched Dia with similar automation capabilities. OpenAI reportedly develops its own browser solution, creating intense competition where first-mover advantages matter increasingly.
Executive Views on AI Disruption
Srinivas joins other tech leaders predicting major workplace changes through AI integration. Anthropic’s CEO suggests AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level positions, while Ford’s CEO warns about extensive white-collar job replacement. However, Salesforce and Nvidia CEOs frame AI development as workforce enhancement rather than wholesale replacement.
“People who are at the frontier of using AI are going to be way more employable than people who are not,” Srinivas cautioned, emphasizing the importance of early adoption for professional development.
Implementation Challenges Ahead
AI automation brings substantial challenges beyond efficiency gains. Job displacement concerns can seriously impact employee morale and company culture, requiring thoughtful leadership that balances technological progress with human considerations.
Data security remains critical when implementing AI-powered tools that access sensitive business information. Companies need robust protection protocols while recognizing that current AI technology isn’t perfect for complex decision-making. Human oversight stays essential for critical business functions, as AI agents may produce errors or hallucinations in complex situations.
Decision Time for Indian Businesses
Indian businesses face a shrinking competitive window as AI adoption speeds up across industries. Early adopters position themselves for significant operational advantages, while companies that delay risk falling permanently behind competitors who embrace these emerging capabilities.
For Indian startups operating with limited resources, the key question shifts from whether AI will impact operations to how quickly leadership teams will integrate these game-changing tools. Comet represents the start of fundamental workplace transformation for businesses ready to embrace comprehensive automation strategies.
The technology’s success will ultimately depend on balancing ambitious automation claims with practical implementation realities, as Indian enterprises navigate the complex transition toward AI-powered business operations.
