Anthropic's New Tool Aims to Handle the Workday Grind

Anthropic has entered the crowded market for AI agents with a new application called Claude Duet, designed specifically for professionals and small businesses. The tool aims to automate and manage tasks, a strategy that diverges from other assistants on the market such as Instinct, as Duet is not intended for handling errands or booking tickets. Anthropic also noted that users cannot see the application's browser activity as it occurs.

Duet's functions center on creating daily briefings, generating dashboards, and suggesting actions based on user data. The agent can operate in the background using its own virtual machine while a user handles other matters, returning for approval when necessary. Duet proactively delivers recommendations as it monitors ongoing tasks. The application is built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model.

The release comes as the AI market shifts beyond assistants toward agents capable of working on a user's behalf, with many of Anthropic's rivals also focusing on business applications. While Meta's Muse functions as a personal assistant, Meta also released a version for small businesses that connects to other apps. OpenAI's Dots likewise has a business focus, featuring integration with professional tools.

Claude Duet can connect to over 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace. The agent is also capable of making online purchases for users through Stripe's Link digital wallet or Shopify's Shop Pay. Anthropic stated that sensitive steps, such as payments, require user approval, though the agent will not trade securities or transfer money between accounts.

To prevent sensitive information from leaking, Anthropic released a new classifier that checks each message. The company said that, by default, the agent declines requests for credit card numbers and government identification.

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