
Perplexity CEO says his AI browser Comet is coming for these two office jobs, cut the doomscrolling now
Srinivas didn't mince words about which jobs he believes are at risk. Executive assistants and recruiters, he said, are the two roles Comet is designed to make redundant. Still in its invite-only phase, Comet is pitched as a tool capable of replacing the core daily functions of these positions.For executive assistants, Comet can manage calendars, prepare meeting materials, triage emails, and resolve scheduling conflicts, all through natural language prompts. 'A recruiter's work worth one week is just one prompt: sourcing and reach outs,' Srinivas explained.He went on to outline how the AI browser can track candidate replies, update progress in Google Sheets, handle follow-ups, and even provide a pre-meeting briefing, effectively covering the full recruitment lifecycle.Srinivas envisions Comet becoming an AI 'operating system' for office work, capable of executing commands from prompts and running automated tasks behind the scenes. While it remains accessible only to premium users for now, the company is betting that users will happily pay for a browser that gets actual work done rather than simply offering information.AI taking over roles at work: True or falseSrinivas' comments add fuel to an ongoing debate in the tech industry: Will AI replace or simply reshape the workforce?Dario Amodei, CEO of AI firm Anthropic, has publicly predicted that up to 50 per cent of entry-level office jobs could vanish within five years. Echoing that sentiment, Ford's CEO Jim Farley suggested at the Aspen Ideas Festival that half of all white-collar jobs in the US are under threat from artificial intelligence.Not everyone shares that bleak outlook. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said AI has transformed his own job but framed it as evolution, not extinction. Salesforce boss Marc Benioff has also stressed that AI is a tool for augmentation, not elimination.advertisementEven so, there's a consensus that AI is changing the workplace at breakneck speed. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently urged his staff to learn, experiment with, and adopt AI tools, warning that failure to adapt could lead to redundancy as automation takes hold.As AI tools like Comet continue to evolve, the lines between human and machine labour in office settings are growing increasingly blurred. Whether Comet becomes a digital co-worker or a job replacement engine, one thing is certain that the white-collar world is on the cusp of dramatic change.- Ends
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Hindustan Times
32 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Decoding UK's OSA, ChatGPT adds emotional support, and pondering Windows' future
The UK's newly updated enforcements for the Online Safety Act (OSA) are worth having a conversation about, this week. Most of the online media coverage would lead you to believe that it's a new act that's been passed into a new law, but it isn't — the Online Safety Act received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, some provisions came into force on 10 January 2024, while additional elements took effect on 1 April 2024. We're talking about this now, because the critical age verification requirements took effect on 25 July 2025, which means all online platforms accessible in that part of the world are legally required to implement "highly effective" age assurance measures. In fact, this will not have a UK-only fallout, because it could potentially reshape the digital landscape globally, much in the way the GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation of 2016 has had on how online platforms and services collect and handle user data, in subsequent regulations worldwide. OpenAI The mandatory age verification measures that came into place late last month, are meant to provide a substantial legal assurance of a user's age and consent, the idea being to reduce access to content such as pornography, or anything that encourages self-harm, suicide or eating disorders for instance, on the World Wide Web. Apple There are two sides to this coin. Tech companies and content creators are alarmed by the OSA's new sweeping requirements. If any site accessible in the UK—including social media, search engines, music sites, and adult content providers— does not enforce age checks to prevent children from seeing harmful content, they now face potential fines up to 10% of their revenue for non-compliance. This could very well pressure them into implementing invasive verification systems. Depending how a specific platform does it, methods include scanning your face, credit card, or an identity document, if you want to access content. UK's regulators have been at it for a while, a recent case in point being the Investigatory Powers Act, which we decoded in my Tech Tonic column recently which would have forced tech companies to disable active encryption methods, putting user data at significant risk. There are privacy and access implications of this, something digital rights advocates warn about, detailing that these measures have the potential to create an unprecedented surveillance infrastructure, with these massive databases of personal and biometric information inevitably vulnerable to breaches and misuse. Users must now choose between privacy and access, fundamentally altering the internet's traditionally open nature. 'The Act, which is now coming in enforcement stages exemplifies how well-intended laws can cause unintended consequences on other aspects of technologies. The mandatory use of accredited technology is bound to weaken end-to-end encryption which is the hallmark of a free digital society without which commerce or personal communications systems cannot work. Any of the current age verification methods cannot be imposed without addressing biometric surveillance creep, data breaches and misuse, and increased centralization of user data,' explains a spokesperson of Software Freedom Law Centre India ( in a conversation with us. 'The OSA's age assurance rules require platforms to use facial scans, upload IDs, or verify age through banking or telecom data. These measures raise serious privacy concerns and discourage online anonymity. Larger platforms are testing third-party software for this, but the risk does not disappear, it spreads. User data could now sit with multiple external vendors, increasing the chances of leaks or misuse,' points out Vikram Jeet Singh, Partner at BTG Advaya, a law firm. Possible global implications cannot be ignored, considering the OSA's impact extends far beyond British borders, potentially influencing online speech frameworks worldwide. There can be an argument that while it is effective in some form, it breaks the right to privacy and free speech, while also compromising cybersecurity. Countries such as India, already grappling with content regulation challenges, are likely to be closely watching the UK's approach as a potential model, or cautionary tale. The precedent set by Britain's age verification requirements could normalise similar measures globally, which alongside a fragmented internet where access to information depends on geography, also depends on a willingness to submit to digital surveillance. This is something the spokesperson details, 'Such laws generally have global ripple effects like the GDPR. Companies may choose to adopt UK-compliant policies to avoid the costs related to fragmentation. Countries will emulate such provisions to curb dissent and justify surveillance under the guise of child protection or moral regulation by the state.' What's the way forward? The UK's now complete Online Safety Act effectively represents a watershed moment for internet governance, confronted with often opposing scenarios of fundamental questions about digital rights and any government's commitment to protecting children. The intent of the UK government is commendable, in terms of what it is trying to achieve — the internet as a safe space for children. However, the immediate surge in VPN downloads in the UK on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store suggest, citizens aren't likely to play along. Does that potentially undermine the Act's effectiveness? EMOTIONAL SUPPORT OpenAI says that they are updating ChatGPT (irrespective of which model you use specifically) giving it an ability to detect mental or emotional distress. The AI company wants ChatGPT to work better for users when they want guidance and perhaps a pep talk, than pure facts or information. 'I'm feeling stuck—help me untangle my thoughts' is an example OpenAI mentions, among others, to indicate the GPT models will be more capable of listening to the reasoning of a user's thoughts, rather than just tokenise those words into a response. Newly added are also gentle reminders during long sessions to encourage breaks. OpenAI isn't building this out of its own hat, but instead suggests they've worked with over 90 physicians across over 30 countries (including psychiatrists, paediatricians, and general practitioners) to build custom rubrics for evaluating complex, multi-turn conversations, as well as engaging human-computer-interaction (HCI) researchers and clinicians to give feedback on how well they've identified concerning behaviours, as well as convening an advisory group of experts in mental health, youth development, and HCI. The company admits they haven't gotten it right earlier, case in point being an update earlier this year, which made the model respond in a tone that was too agreeable, bordering on saying what sounded nice instead of what was actually helpful. MAKING NOTES Notes In what is usually the most difficult quarter for iPhone sales, with the spectre of the traditional September refresh looming large, Apple has reported Q3 earnings higher than expectations. The company has reported quarterly revenue of $94 billion, up 10 percent year over year, a June quarter revenue record, and beating $89.3 billion expectations. Apple CEO Tim Cook again emphasised the importance of India, for Apple's growth trajectory. 'The world of mousing and keyboarding around will feel as alien as it does to Gen Z [using] MS-DOS,' the words of David Weston, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Enterprise & Security in what is apparently the first of Microsoft's 'Windows 2030 Vision' video series. What does this mean? Since he doesn't elaborate any further than this breadcrumb, I'll lay out the possibility for you — another attempt at Windows which is overloaded with AI, perhaps even more within the OS itself and the apps you use on the computing device, with some element of agentic features that'll utilise natural language understanding and context from a user's data as well as what's on the screen. Ready for the future? MEET'S GETTING SMART Google Meet Google Meet is getting a rather interesting new feature, and it may seem like there's some sorcery to it, instead it is more of attention to details. Google says that if you are now joining a Meet call from your own device such as a laptop, the video meeting platform can detect when you may be doing so in a large conference room-esque physical space. In an attempt to reduce or totally eliminate the problem of sound echo on such a call, Meet will suggest joining the call using something called a 'Companion Mode'. Mind you, this presently only works if you are joining a meet call from your laptop on the Google Chrome web browser — and rolls out for all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices. Meet uses your laptop's microphone to intelligently know when you are in a room using an ultrasonic signal. 'This wayfinding feature helps ensure a seamless, echo-free start to your meeting. When you join using the highlighted Companion mode button, you will also be automatically checked into the correct room,' says Google, in an official post. Basically, this will require your Google Workspace admins (basically, your organisation's IT folks) to enable 'Proximity Detection' that will allow that hardware to detect nearby devices, as a feature on the Google Meet Hardware installed in a conference room (for this I am sure there will be typical inertia reasoned around 'compatibility' and 'security' to mask ineptitude). At this point, based on my experiences with IT folks, easier said than done. End of the story.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
After ASMI, Lokesh Machines develops India's 1st indigenous pvt sector MMG
Hyderabad: After having successfully hit bullseye with its debut weapon– a 9x19 mm calibre submachine gun (SMG) nicknamed ASMI, which was India's first SMG to be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by the private sector — Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines Ltd has now scored another hit. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CNC machines maker has now developed a first-of-its-kind 7.62x51mm belt-fed medium machine gun (MMG). Just like ASMI, the MMG too has been developed in collaboration with Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune. The MMG, which can operate in both single-shot and automatic modes and is compatible with both Indian and NATO standard ammunition, can fire 800 rounds per minute and boasts of an effective range of 1800 meters. It has a belt capacity of 250 rounds, with the option to attach additional belts for sustained firepower in combat situations and can be mounted on ground vehicles, naval vessels and aircraft. It can operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40 to +55 degrees Celsius. The company has now bagged a Rs 17.7 crore order from the Indian Army for the supply of precision components for in-service MMGs after extensive testing of Lokesh's MMG platform, Lokesh Machines said on Wednesday. "Our MMG is about 25% lighter than the MMGs currently in use by the Indian Army, which extensively tested the weapon and it's subassemblies before deciding to upgrade its in-service MMGs with our subassemblies. This will help not only in reduction of weight of existing MMGs but also increase their reliability and functionality," Lokesh Machines director M Srinivas told TOI. The MMG's design also incorporates a single-piece machined receiver and a chromium-plated barrel for extended durability, Srinivas said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It is also equipped with a quick-change barrel system and a three-position gas regulator for more efficient operation and maintenance, he added. GFX: Lokesh Machines MMG About 25% lighter than MMGs currently in use Has a range of 1800 mts Has a belt capacity of 250 rounds Can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to +55 degrees Celsius. Ability to handle Indian and NATO standard ammo


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Cryptocurrency Live News & Updates : Ethereum's Position Strengthened by Regulatory Shifts
06 Aug 2025 | 11:55:12 PM IST Figment's CEO Lorien Gabel stated that recent U.S. regulatory changes, including the market structure bill, clarify Ethereum's role and enhance its use cases, alongside a surge in stablecoin trading and Ethereum transactions. In the latest cryptocurrency news, Figment's CEO Lorien Gabel emphasized Ethereum's strengthened position amid evolving U.S. regulations, particularly with the market structure bill that clarifies its use cases. Meanwhile, OpenAI has allowed share sales at a staggering $500 billion valuation, showcasing the growing intersection of technology and finance. On the trading front, Pepe's price is consolidating at a crucial support level, indicating potential for a bullish reversal if it can maintain momentum. Additionally, BNB has surpassed 770 USDT, reflecting a 2.67% increase in just 24 hours. However, the crypto landscape is not without its challenges, as users face risks of having their accounts frozen due to compliance issues, even when they have done nothing wrong. The importance of understanding the provenance of funds is highlighted, as interactions with 'tainted' wallets can lead to significant consequences. As the industry matures, compliance and risk management are becoming essential for all crypto participants, underscoring the need for proactive measures to safeguard assets. Show more