Anthropic, the Amazon-backed AI startup founded by former OpenAI executives, announced a significant milestone with the launch of AI agents capable of performing complex tasks on a computer. The company, known for its Claude chatbot, is positioning itself in the generative AI space alongside major players like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Anthropic’s new “Computer Use” feature allows its AI to interact with computers in a way similar to humans, completing tasks such as navigating websites, entering text, and executing commands.
Jared Kaplan, Anthropic’s Chief Science Officer, said the technology enables the AI to handle “tens or even hundreds of steps” when completing tasks, making it highly efficient for business functions. Early testers of the tool, including companies like Asana, Canva, and Notion, had early access, and the tool is now available in public beta for developers. Kaplan added that consumer and enterprise access is expected by early next year.
The AI agents are part of a broader strategy to move beyond simple chatbot interactions. Kaplan noted that while chatbots stop after providing context, the goal for Anthropic is for Claude to assist with a variety of tasks, from booking appointments to filling out forms.
Anthropic’s recent advancements follow the company’s release of Claude Enterprise, targeting businesses with larger context windows and collaboration features. As Anthropic continues to expand, it remains a key player in the growing competition with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google in the AI market.
