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Agentic AI promises to automatically handle tasks that would otherwise require significant time and effort on your part. And by interacting directly with your computer, the AI can work with your files, apps, settings, and services. One particular agentic AI that's getting a lot of buzz is Perplexity, thanks to the Personal Computer feature built into the Mac app.
Initially available only for Perplexity Max subscribers, the Personal Computer skill recently expanded to Enterprise and Pro users. If you subscribe to any of those plans, all you need to do is download the Perplexity Mac app to try out the feature. You can then connect Perplexity to your own files, apps, and services and give it a range of assignments to tackle on its own.
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Personal Computer takes advantage of three types of access.
First is local file access. Here, the AI can connect to any folder anywhere on your Mac to search for, view, and create files.
Here, the AI can connect to any folder anywhere on your Mac to search for, view, and create files. Second is app control. The AI can use and work with any native app on your computer, including Messages, Notes, Mail, Maps, Photos, and Settings.
The AI can use and work with any native app on your computer, including Messages, Notes, Mail, Maps, Photos, and Settings. Third is access to external services. You can connect to services such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox, enabling Perplexity to work with your cloud-based files.
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