Perplexity AI’s Aravind Srinivas Warns Against Course Shortcut

A recent incident involving Perplexity AI’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, has sparked significant discussion online. Srinivas reacted to a social media post that demonstrated how to use the Comet browser to complete a Coursera course in an astonishingly brief 16 seconds. The situation escalated when Srinivas, who is also a billionaire at the age of 31, shared his disapproval on the platform X, stating, “Absolutely don’t do this.” His post quickly garnered over 5 million views, 45,000 reactions, and numerous comments within just 11 hours.

The video that caught Srinivas’s attention was shared by a user named Amrit Nigam, who claims to be a web developer. Nigam expressed gratitude towards both Srinivas and the Comet AI, stating, “Just completed my Coursera course.” The clip showcased Comet AI efficiently answering 12 questions from a training assignment due on October 20, 2023. Ironically, the course was focused on “AI Ethics, Responsibility and Creativity.”

The rapid completion of the course raised ethical concerns, leading to a flurry of reactions from users. One commenter provocatively remarked, “Thanks for creating Frankenstein’s monster. I want it on my Linux laptop. When can I get it?” Others pointed out the implications of such technology, with one user noting, “Companies are more likely to get candidates who use tools like this to juice their resume than actual talent with integrity.”

The discourse continued with various users highlighting the irony of an AI course teaching ethics while the AI assistant facilitated shortcuts. Another user commented, “This is what the future looks like with bots everywhere,” indicating a sense of concern regarding the role of technology in educational integrity.

Aravind Srinivas has made headlines for more than just his recent social media post. According to the Hurun India Rich List 2025, he is recognized as the youngest billionaire in India, with an estimated net worth of ₹ 21,190 crore. His wealth is attributed to the development of a foundational AI model that competes on a global scale. Srinivas holds dual degrees—one in Electrical Engineering and another in Computer Science—and has previously worked at major tech firms such as OpenAI, Google, and DeepMind.

In 2022, he co-founded Perplexity AI alongside Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. The company has quickly carved out a niche in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, drawing attention for its innovative approaches and products.

The recent incident highlights not only the capabilities of AI technologies but also the ethical dilemmas they present. As educational institutions and technology companies navigate this new landscape, the discourse surrounding the responsible use of AI continues to evolve, prompting ongoing discussions about integrity, meritocracy, and the future of learning in the digital age.