Perplexity integrates the viral reverse-engineering tool REA: No source code needed, AI can replicate five software including Figma.

Beating AI News Flash: Perplexity announces that it will open-source the reverse engineering tool REA (Reverse Engineer Anything) and integrate it into Computer. Users only need to tell the AI which software they want to replicate, and it can analyze how the software operates without the original source code, then attempt to rewrite a version with similar functionality.

Perplexity showcased 5 replicated works in one go, all offering web versions that can be experienced online:

1. Figma: Supports layers, auto layout, real-time multi-user collaboration, as well as account login and cross-device synchronization.

2. LibreOffice Calc: Supports editing cells, writing formulas, and charts automatically updating after data changes.

3. Photopea: Similar to web-based Photoshop, supports layers, masks, color adjustment, and text editing.

4. Harvey: An AI tool for legal work that can search contracts, compare different versions, and flag clauses according to specified rules, with citations to the original text.

5. Audacity: Supports audio editing, mixing, volume adjustment, fade in and fade out, and exporting WAV files.

REA was open-sourced by developer morluto and can work with tools such as Ghidra and Hopper to analyze functions, call relationships, and runtime behavior inside programs, and can also inspect web pages as well as JavaScript and Electron applications. However, this does not mean that AI can already fully replicate commercial software. The author of REA explicitly stated that the tool cannot guarantee restoration of the original source code.

Perplexity is offering a limited-time free quota for this feature. Before October 31, tasks using `/reverse-engineer` can enjoy a free quota of up to 10,000 Credits per person.