Perplexity launches AI-powered Personal Computer assistant for Mac users
Perplexity AI has begun rolling out Personal Computer, an artificial intelligence assistant designed to integrate directly with macOS and manage local files, native applications, and web activity in real time. The feature is now available to subscribers of its premium Max plan and users previously registered on a waitlist.
The product was first introduced on March 11 during the company’s Ask developer conference in San Francisco, where CEO Aravind Srinivas outlined a shift toward goal-driven computing. He described traditional operating systems as command-based, while AI-driven systems focus on completing user objectives.
Personal Computer runs continuously on a dedicated Mac device, such as a Mac mini, operating in the background. It can read, write, and organize local files, and interact with built-in macOS applications including iMessage, Mail, and Calendar. Users can also trigger tasks remotely from an iPhone, with access secured through two-factor authentication.
The system relies on a network of around 20 advanced AI models, dynamically selecting the most suitable model for each task. Built-in safeguards include a mandatory user confirmation before executing actions, an emergency stop control, and a full audit trail of operations.
Access to Personal Computer requires the Perplexity Max subscription, priced at $200 per month. The lower-tier Pro plan does not include the feature, though it supports a cloud-based version known as Perplexity Computer. Enterprise versions of the system are also in development.
The launch positions Perplexity in direct competition with emerging agent-based AI systems, including OpenClaw, as companies race to redefine how users interact with personal computing environments.
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