Perplexity adds ‘hybrid compute’ to Mac app, splits work across cloud and local AI

Perplexity has unveiled “hybrid compute,” which keeps sensitive information on Mac devices while splitting other work with cloud AI. Engadget reported on Monday that hybrid compute has been integrated into the Perplexity Mac app and supports data protection and lower inference costs.

Hybrid compute splits a single task between a cloud-based model and a local large language model. Models such as Opus 5 and GPT-5.6 Sol handle the cloud side, while a model running directly on a user’s computer processes the local side.

Perplexity cited as one of the main use cases a lawyer drafting a brief comparing an active case with existing precedents without sending client information outside.

John Staff, Perplexity’s head of Mac products, said the app automatically checks whether content is sensitive when a file is uploaded or information is sent, and then asks again whether to send it to the cloud. Perplexity also added a feature that automatically suggests which files and information users should keep on their computers alongside hybrid compute.

Users can review which files to keep local before splitting a task through hybrid compute. They can also choose the model to use at this stage. Local models supported include Gemma E4B and 2 models in the Qwon 35B 3.6 family. One of them was further trained by Perplexity. The app installs local…