AI-powered search engine Perplexity has announced its plans to launch a web browser, dubbed Comet, in a move that will see the company enter a highly competitive market. The news was revealed through a post on X, where the company launched a sign-up list for the browser, although no release date or details on its features have been disclosed.

The browser, touted as a reinvention of the traditional browsing experience, will join a crowded field of established players such as Chrome, as well as emerging alternatives like the upcoming Dia browser from The Browser Company. Many of these alternative browsers offer AI-powered features that rival Perplexity's own, making it unclear how Comet will differentiate itself.

Despite the challenges, Perplexity may be banking on its existing search engine user base to quickly gain traction and make an impact in the browser market. The company's product portfolio has been growing rapidly, with recent releases including a "deep research" product, an AI-powered assistant for Android, and an API for AI search.

Founded in 2022, Perplexity has reportedly raised over $500 million in capital from venture capitalists and is valued at $9 billion. The AI-powered search engine is currently performing over 100 million queries each week, with the company expanding its monetization efforts, including an advertising program.

However, Perplexity's expansion into the browser market comes amidst ongoing legal battles with publishers. News Corp's Dow Jones and the NY Post have sued the company over allegations of "content kleptocracy," with many other news sites expressing concerns that Perplexity closely replicates their content. In response, Perplexity has offered a revenue-sharing program for outlets and maintains that it respects publisher content.

As Perplexity prepares to launch Comet, the company will need to navigate these legal challenges while also differentiating its browser from the competition. With the browser market more crowded than ever, it remains to be seen whether Perplexity's AI-powered approach will be enough to make a significant impact.

One thing is certain, however: Perplexity's entry into the browser market marks a significant development in the ongoing evolution of the tech industry. As AI-powered features become increasingly prevalent, companies like Perplexity are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology. Whether Comet will be a success remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the browser market is about to get a whole lot more interesting.