Perplexity Launches Personal Computer AI Agent
Perplexity launched "Personal Computer," an AI agent tool that converts a Mac into a local, continuously running AI system for professional tasks.
Jason Kwon ·
Perplexity, an AI search startup, launched "Personal Computer" on Wednesday, March 12, 2026, a new AI agent tool designed to operate locally on a dedicated Mac device. This system allows users to transform a spare Mac into a continuously running AI agent with full access to local files and applications, controllable remotely from any device.
Perplexity positions this tool as a more secure alternative to existing agent systems, offering a full audit trail, the ability to reverse actions, and a kill switch.
The Personal Computer is intended primarily for professional use, enabling tasks such as drafting emails, converting reports into presentations, and ranking job candidates. It builds upon Perplexity's earlier "Perplexity Computer" product, which combined AI chatbots and agents. While the software is confirmed to run on a Mac Mini, compatibility with other hardware and platforms remains unspecified. Access to Personal Computer is currently via a waitlist, with no immediate public release date.
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas suggests the product could significantly enhance individual productivity by operating 24/7, overcoming human limitations like sleep. This initiative aims to position Perplexity as a specialized tool within the AI agent market.