Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has advice for youngsters busy on social media watching reels
Live Events
Jobs will be lost. But that's not the end
Recruiters may be replaced by a browser
Comet is still behind a paywall, for now
Who is Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas?
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI , has offered blunt career advice for young people: spend less time doomscrolling and more time learning artificial intelligence.'Spend less time doomscrolling on Instagram; spend more time using the AIs,' Srinivas told Matthew Berman in a recent interview.According to him, fluency in AI tools is already becoming a key factor in employability. 'People who really are at the frontier of using AIs are going to be way more employable than people who are not. That's guaranteed to happen,' he said.His warning is clear. Adapt or fall behind.Srinivas believes the pace of change in AI is now outstripping how fast most people can keep up. With new developments rolling out every few months, he thinks this technological churn is forcing an uncomfortable reality on workers across industries.'Human race has never been extremely fast at adapting,' he said. 'The field is moving in cycles of three to six months.'The message is not just about learning new skills. It's about constantly reskilling. Staying still could mean getting left behind.Not everyone will make the transition. Srinivas is realistic about that. Some jobs will vanish, especially those tied to repeatable tasks.But he also sees a possible route forward. People can either become builders, using AI to create new companies, or they can learn enough to contribute meaningfully to the ones already adapting.'Either the other people who lose jobs end up starting companies themselves and make use of AIs, or they end up learning the AIs and contribute to new companies,' he said.It's not just a theory. Others in the AI space share this concern.Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that up to 50 percent of entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear in the next five years. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the 'godfather of AI,' has echoed this, saying AI will replace many tasks that rely on routine thinking.Still, there are some who remain hopeful. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argues that AI will not erase jobs entirely but rather change the way work is done.Srinivas gave a sharp example of what AI can already do today. On The Verge's Decoder podcast, he explained how Perplexity's Comet browser could potentially automate the entire job of a recruiter.'A recruiter's work worth one week is just one prompt: sourcing and reach outs. And then you've got to do state tracking,' he said.But it doesn't stop at just finding candidates.'You want it to keep following up, keep a track of their responses. If some people respond, go and update the Google Sheets, mark the status as responded or in progress and follow up with those candidates, sync with my Google calendar, and then resolve conflicts and schedule a chat, and then push me a brief ahead of the meeting. Some of these things should be proactive. It doesn't even have to be a prompt,' he added.He suggested that tools like Comet, combined with more advanced models like GPT-5 or Claude 4.5, could completely change how routine office work is done.At the moment, Comet is only available to paying subscribers. However, Perplexity has started sending out invitations to free users. A wider rollout is expected soon.Still, not everything will be open access.In a Reddit AMA, Srinivas confirmed that while the browser would be available to all eventually, more complex agent-driven features will likely stay behind a subscription wall.Aravind Srinivas was born in India in 1994 and studied computer science before co-founding Perplexity AI. His company is focused on building conversational AI search tools designed to give direct, clear answers.His broader message is that AI is not just a tool. It's becoming a professional necessity.For Srinivas, those who understand and use it early will be in control of the future job market. Those who don't may end up struggling to stay relevant.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
Google Pixel 10 India Launch Date Teased: Here's What You Can Expect
Last Updated: Google Pixel 10 India launch teaser gives us the important details like date and which models will be coming to the market this year. Google Pixel 10 launch has been confirmed for August and now we have the official Pixel 10 series launch news for the Indian market. The company is bringing the new Pixel 10 series on August 20 and the event will be taking place in New York. The new Pixel 10 lineup is likely to include four models once again, including a new foldable, along with a new Pixel Watch version and maybe some new Pixel Buds too. Google did not share any details about the Pixel 10 series India launch till now but that changes with the latest teaser. Google's Pixel 10 India launch teaser says the new models will be unveiled on Thursday, August 21, which is most likely to be the evening after Google officially introduces the new models in New York. 21.8.25Ask more of your up and subscribe on the Google Store for an exclusive offer: — Google India (@GoogleIndia) July 22, 2025 The Made by Google event is scheduled for 10 AM PT which is 10:30 PM IST for those watching in India. Google's new Pixel 10 launch event will be live streamed on its official YouTube channel. Google Pixel 10 series will most likely have four models this year. The Pixel 10, along with the Pixel 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Google should also bring the new Pixel Watch 4 model which is rumoured to get the same design as the Pixel Watch 3 but carrying a bigger battery this year. The good news is that Google is likely to make some upgrades for the latest Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL models but some of the existing features could be carried over to the new models. The new Pixel 10 Pro leaks have been shared via Android Headlines in a report. The Pixel 10 Pro is expected to sport a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, while the 10 Pro XL gets a 6.8-inch display with the same panel and refresh rate. We expect Google to power them with the new Tensor G5 chipset which is supposedly being made by TSMC using the 3nm process. The company could launch the 10 Pro models with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage variants. Google should also have the Android 16 version ready for the new models, something that did not happen with the Pixel 9 series last year. The new Pixel 10 Pro Fold model is expected to get a 6.4-inch cover OLED display and an 8-inch inner screen with up to 3000 nits of peak brightness. The device should get the Tensor G5 chipset with up to 16GB RAM which is the usual upgrade over the year for a product from Google. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 08:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trump goes to bat for big tech in global trade talks
The Trump administration is using its global trade wars to advance the interests of the U.S. technology industry, seeking to prevent foreign countries from targeting American internet firms. The administration hopes to use the threat of tariffs and access to the U.S. economy to stop multiple countries from imposing new taxes, regulations and tariffs on American tech companies and their products ahead of a self-imposed Aug. 1 deadline, when higher levies are scheduled to take effect for dozens of trading partners. Measures targeting America's internet giants remain a sticking point in discussions with Brazil, South Korea and the European Union, according to people familiar with the discussions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are scheduled to meet Friday in Washington with South Korea's trade and finance ministers. President Trump's abrupt termination of trade talks with Canada last month over that country's proposed digital-services tax highlighted his administration's focus on the dominance of the American tech sector. Canada quickly rescinded the tax to salvage trade discussions. The emphasis on protecting America's internet companies abroad follows a yearslong campaign by tech companies, which have warned that what they call unfair taxes and regulations overseas could restrict the amount they can invest in the U.S. The U.S. approach to foreign digital taxes represents a win for an industry that nevertheless faces issues with the Trump administration domestically, including antitrust challenges and the impact of tariffs on their businesses. 'The companies have done a very good job at making the big tech agenda America first," said Nu Wexler, a public affairs consultant who previously worked at tech companies including Meta Platforms and Google. Many companies and executives donated millions of dollars to Trump's inauguration. Google CEO Sundar Pichai was among tech leaders in attendance for President Trump's inauguration in January. Tech companies have found allies on digital trade in Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Bessent and Greer. In the deal with Indonesia, U.S. negotiators secured commitments that the Jakarta government would drop plans to tariff electronic goods such as movies or software downloads. Similar commitments have been secured from Vietnam, say people familiar with the plans, though the administration has yet to release documentation of that deal. The administration is committed to delivering on Trump's pledge to defend innovative U.S. companies from unfair practices overseas, White House spokesman Kush Desai said. Brazil is focused on resuming trade talks, not retaliatory measures, a government official said. The European Commission, which is in charge of EU trade policy, declined to comment. The South Korean and Vietnamese embassies didn't respond to requests for comment. Veterans of the first Trump term say the president has long opposed efforts from other countries to tax and regulate U.S. tech companies, even as he often battles them on the home front. Trump 'sees this as a way for other countries to grab revenue unfairly from U.S. companies," said Everett Eissenstat, a former deputy director of the National Economic Council. When the European Union imposed hefty fines on Google and other tech companies in his first term, Trump referred to the bloc's then-competition czar as a 'tax lady" who 'really hates the U.S." The U.S. initiated probes of digital taxes in countries including France in 2019 that stalled during the Biden administration. Countries have long tried to allocate more of Silicon Valley's profits from digital advertising and online activities to their territories. Many are ramping up regulations for taking down misinformation, promoting transparency and keeping minors safe online. Some are trying to strengthen antitrust laws. Vice President JD Vance attended an AI summit in February in Paris. The Biden administration hoped a multilateral process would address digital-services taxes, but that effort stalled. Many tech executives felt former President Biden ignored the rise of overseas regulations. 'The U.S. government has finally acknowledged there is a fire we must put out," said Matt Schruers, chief executive officer of the Computer & Communications Industry Association trade group. Skeptics say the administration is battling for an already thriving industry that doesn't need its support while overlooking other segments of the economy that are more exposed to tariffs. Democrats have criticized Trump's ties to tech and cryptocurrency executives. After Trump was elected the second time, tech leaders including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai made pilgrimages to Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Curbing what they said were harmful policies overseas consistently came up in the conversations, people familiar with the conversations said. As administration officials threatened eye-watering tariffs on goods from many countries, they also demanded that those governments relax some of their tech restrictions. In March, India withdrew its digital-services tax. India and the U.S. are still negotiating, but Trump has said he thinks a deal is close. Canada's digital tax was seen as a bellwether because it could have encouraged other countries to follow through on similar measures. Ottawa's levy was expected to cost U.S. tech companies about $3 billion and included a retroactive component back to 2022. President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney last month at the G-7 summit in Alberta, Canada. In late June, Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney clashed over the digital tax at a Group of Seven summit in Canada. Some tech companies were preparing to make the payments when Trump stepped in just before the deadline. The two sides haven't yet reached a trade deal, and Carney has indicated U.S. tariffs might remain in place even with an agreement. Last week, shortly after Trump said he would impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, Greer initiated a tariff investigation on Brazil under a section of U.S. trade law targeting unfair trade practices. Trump cited the country's legal action against Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's former president and one his political allies. The investigation includes Brazil's digital-trade and electronic-payments practices, the latest salvo cheered by the tech sector. 'This is a very acute focus right now," CCIA's Schruers said. Write to Amrith Ramkumar at and Gavin Bade at
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
The comeback of indie comics
With a background in civil engineering and a stint in 3-D animation in Hyderabad, Sumi had relocated to Chennai and taken a break from full-time work after her daughter's birth. She freelanced with her brother's advertising firm, but after the pandemic, there was plenty of time. She says, 'I thought, what could I do that I truly enjoy?' Red Eye Chapters was born out of instinct. She started selling through Instagram, packing and shipping the comics herself. Soon, she noticed a gap: most mainstream bookstores offered little space to independent comics. 'I thought of starting a platform where these people have a voice, or a chance to promote their books.' That clarity and her personal investment in the stories gave her confidence. 'I found that I can sell the product because I like it, and I have read it.' Her first pop-up stalls appeared in Chennai's Amethyst lifestyle bazaars, amid trinkets, sweets, and clothes. Footfall was high, but comic readers were a niche audience. Still, she stayed steady. 'People always appreciate my collection. It's colourful and has a lot of variety.' A turning point came with The Sunshine House, an art space in Chennai that promotes inclusive art. They encouraged her to bring her work to an audience that would appreciate it. With their support, Red Eye Chapters found a place among students, illustrators, and dedicated readers. 'It's been uphill,' Sumi says. 'I meet a lot of people, and new customers come up. Slowly, people are recognising the brand.'
