Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Perplexity CEO Details Comet Assistant Updates Focused on User Control
Imagine your computer helper, called Comet, is learning to do things for you online, like browsing websites.
Perplexity, the company that made Comet, has given it an update so you're always in charge.
Now, Comet will show you exactly what it's doing, like where it's clicking or scrolling, so you can follow along.
It will even ask you for permission before doing something important, like logging into your account or buying something, just like a careful friend would.
You can also tell Comet if you want it to help just once, all the time, or if you prefer to do things yourself.
This makes Comet a more trustworthy and understandable helper for everyone.
Perplexity's Comet Assistant has been updated to give users more control and transparency over its web-based actions.
The assistant now clearly displays its real-time activities, including browsing, clicking, and scrolling.
Users can choose the level of autonomy for Comet, ranging from one-time assistance to ongoing automatic help.
Comet will now seek explicit user permission before performing high-risk tasks such as logging in or making purchases.
The updates aim to foster trust by prioritizing visibility, personal choice, and careful decision-making in AI assistance.
- Who
- Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas and Perplexity
- What
- Perplexity has updated its Comet Assistant with enhanced user control and transparency features for web-based tasks.
- When
- Updates were highlighted starting Saturday.
- Where
- On Perplexity's platform, affecting its Comet Assistant and other tools like Deep Research, Labs, Email Assistant, and Background Assistants.
- Why
- To give users more control over AI actions, ensure safety for high-risk tasks, and build dependable, transparent AI assistants.
Perplexity's Approach
General AI Assistant Design
User Control and Autonomy
Perplexity's Approach
Perplexity's Comet Assistant now explicitly asks users for permission before taking actions like logging in or making purchases, and allows users to choose how autonomously the AI operates (once, ongoing, or manual).
General AI Assistant Design
Some AI assistants may operate with less explicit user intervention, prioritizing speed and efficiency over granular, step-by-step user approval for all actions.
Transparency of AI Actions
Perplexity's Approach
Comet Assistant displays its real-time actions, including browsing, clicking, scrolling, and reasoning steps, through a sidecar panel for enhanced visibility.
General AI Assistant Design
The level of transparency regarding an AI's internal processes and real-time actions can vary significantly across different AI assistants and platforms.
- Company
- Perplexity
- CEO
- Aravind Srinivas
- Assistant Name
- Comet Assistant
- Update Focus
- User control, transparency, and risk management for web-based tasks.
- New Features
- Real-time action display, user-initiated permission for sensitive tasks, adjustable autonomy settings.
- Key Principles
- Visibility, personal choice, careful decision-making.