Agents: Anthropic's New App Focuses on Work

Anthropic has launched a new application called Claude Duet, entering a market crowded with AI assistants. The company is positioning the tool for professionals and small businesses, with a focus on automating and managing work-related tasks. The launch arrives as a growing number of competitors are also developing agents designed to act on a user's behalf.

The new app is distinct from personal assistants that handle everyday activities. Anthropic explicitly stated that Duet is not designed for errands or booking tickets, nor can it show its browser use as it is happening. Instead, the tool is built to handle work functions. It can, for example, create a daily briefing, build dashboards, or suggest actions based on a user's data.

Duet operates in the background to complete tasks through its own virtual machine. It will then return to the user if its process requires approval for a sensitive step. While it can perform work autonomously, it does not trade securities or move money between accounts. The company stated that sensitive steps, such as payments, require user approval.

The company is not the only player targeting business users. Anthropic's competitors are also focusing on business applications. While Meta's Muse is a personal AI assistant, the company also released a version designed for small businesses with connections to other apps. OpenAI's Dots also has a business focus, with its integration with professional tools.

Anthropic says Duet proactively delivers its recommendations as it monitors ongoing tasks. Built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, Duet can connect to over 6,000 connectors and plug-ins in the Claude Marketplace. It can also make online purchases on users' behalf via Stripe's Link digital wallet or Shopify's Shop Pay.

The company also released a new classifier to check each message to prevent sensitive information from leaking out. It said that, by default, the agent would turn down requests asking for credit card numbers and government identification.

Claude Duet is available as an app on iOS and Android, and on the web through Claude.ai for Pro and Max customers in research preview. Users have to join a waitlist to try it.

The launch highlights a significant shift in the market for AI tools. The focus is moving from AI assistants that answer questions to agents that can execute tasks for users. The new app from Anthropic is an attempt to gain an advantage in this competitive landscape by targeting professional use cases.

The future of the market for agents remains to be seen. Anthropic is one of many companies competing for users with new applications designed to automate and manage tasks. The company's focus on professional and small business needs may be a way to attract users who are seeking a tool that can help with work. The launch of Duet is a clear example of the competition in this area, and it is likely that more agents will be released in the future.