[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Perplexity has launched a new tool, 'Computer', that uses artificial intelligence agents to automate complex tasks.

Perplexity on Feb. 25 (local time) unveiled Perplexity Computer, an integrated AI platform that handles everything from research to design, coding, deployment and management in a single system. The core is to orchestrate multiple frontier AI models to run the entire workflow automatically. The service is available only to Perplexity Max subscribers and is expected to open soon to Enterprise Max users.

Computer works by having users describe a goal, after which the system breaks it into multiple sub-tasks and automatically assigns suitable AI models to execute them. For example, if a user inputs a request such as "plan and run a local digital marketing campaign" or "develop a specific Android app for work," the models collaborate to produce results.

Computer's core engine is Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6. It combines, as needed, Gemini (deep research), Nano Banana (image generation), Veo 3.1 (video production), Grok (lightweight tasks) and ChatGPT 5.2 (long context and broad search).

This is an approach that differentiates it from existing agent services that rely on a single model. By automatically selecting and assigning models, the system reduces the user's configuration burden.

Computer runs in an isolated cloud environment that can access a user's local files, a real browser and live tool integrations. Perplexity explained, "All tasks take place in a controlled computing environment, and pre-built integrations make it usable without additional setup."

The structure addresses limits seen in past open agent tools. OpenClaw, viewed as a predecessor to Computer, ran on local devices and offered high extensibility, but there have been cases of errors and data loss due to unverified plugins and security vulnerabilities.

Perplexity took that as a lesson, shifting to a cloud-based approach and restricting extensibility by carefully selecting the integration list. It has effectively adopted an app store-style hub model rather than an operating system-level open structure.

The AI industry is moving into intensified competition over agent-based systems. OpenAI has hired related development personnel, and Sam Altman, OpenAI's chief executive officer, has said agent technology will become a core product vision in the future.

Perplexity Computer is also seen as an attempt to improve real-world usability while controlling the risks of open systems through multi-model optimisation. The possibility of errors in large language models still remains, and some point out that data backups and verification of results are needed.

As AI expands beyond simply generating answers into the stage of "performing work," multi-model agent platforms are emerging as a new axis of competition.