CEO of Perplexity Predicts AI Will Automate Recruiters and Assistants Within Six Months

Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of AI startup Perplexity, has made an ambitious and alarming prediction: AI will replace the jobs of recruiters and executive assistants within six months. His company is developing Comet, a new AI-powered browser designed to handle complex, multi-step tasks that are typically performed by humans. Srinivas believes that AI's role will shift from assistance to full automation. He envisions an AI agent that can carry out workflows from start to finish, such as finding qualified candidates, organizing contact information, drafting personalized emails, and managing schedules. For example, the AI could source all Stanford-educated engineers who previously worked at Anthropic, compile their LinkedIn URLs in a Google Sheet, gather their contact details, and send tailored cold-emails for networking purposes. Similarly, for executive assistants, the AI could manage scheduling, follow-ups, and conflict resolution, all while integrated securely into existing tools like Gmail and Google Calendar. While Comet is not yet capable of executing these tasks flawlessly, Srinivas is confident that the next generation of AI models, such as GPT-5 or Claude 4.5, will provide the necessary advancements to achieve seamless end-to-end automation. He asserts that these models will enhance AI's reasoning capabilities, making it possible for the agents to perform complex, long-term tasks autonomously. Srinivas's vision extends beyond just a better browser. He sees a future where the web browser becomes an operating system-like platform, running continuous AI processes in the background. Users could delegate multiple tasks to Comet, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities or personal interests while the AI handles the routine work. This transformation would fundamentally change how office work is conducted, shifting it from active task execution to task delegation and oversight. However, this optimistic view of increased leisure and personal time masks a significant economic issue. The automation of these roles could lead to widespread job displacement, affecting millions of workers. While some may transition to roles as "AI orchestrators," many others could lose their jobs, particularly in departments heavily reliant on manual, repetitive tasks. Srinivas's prediction of a six-month to one-year timeline for this transformation underscores the urgency and potential impact on the workforce. Industry insiders are divided on Srinivas's forecast. Some experts agree that AI is advancing rapidly and could indeed take on more complex tasks soon, while others remain skeptical about the timeline and the feasibility of such extensive automation in such a short period. They point out that while AI can handle routine tasks, the nuanced skills and human touch required in roles like recruitment and executive assistance are harder to replicate. Perplexity, founded by Srinivas, is a notable player in the AI space, known for its innovative approach to natural language processing and machine learning. The company's aggressive stance and rapid development reflect a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are racing to develop AI solutions that can disrupt traditional work processes and redefine productivity. Meta, Google, and OpenAI are also investing heavily in similar technologies, highlighting the high stakes in this technological arms race. As the landscape evolves, the debate between AI's potential to liberate workers from mundane tasks and its risk of mass displacement intensifies. Companies like Perplexity are at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of what AI can do, but the social and economic consequences of their innovations cannot be ignored.