Anthropic targets the professional workflow with a new AI agent

Anthropic has officially entered the crowded market of personal productivity tools by launching a new application called Claude Duet. The move places the company directly against a growing list of competitors, including Meta Muse, OpenAI Dots, Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo. These rivals have been releasing new assistants almost weekly, creating a saturated landscape for anyone looking to automate their daily digital life.

The primary goal of this new tool is to serve professionals and small businesses rather than the average consumer. Anthropic is making a clear distinction between its product and the more casual agents on the market. The company notes that Duet is not designed to handle simple errands or book tickets for personal use. It also does not show users a live view of its browser activity in the same way other agents do.

Instead, the focus is on structured work. The system is built to create daily briefings, generate data dashboards, and suggest next steps based on the user's existing information. It operates by performing tasks in the background using its own virtual machine. This allows the user to continue working on other things while the agent processes data. The system will only interrupt the user if it needs specific approval to move forward.

This launch coincides with a broader shift in the industry away from simple chatbots and toward agents that can actively work on a user's behalf. Many of Anthropic's competitors are already moving in this direction. For example, while Meta’s Muse functions as a general personal assistant, the company has also released a version tailored for small businesses with deeper app connections. OpenAI’s Dots follows a similar business-focused approach by integrating with professional software tools.

Anthropic emphasizes that Duet works proactively. It monitors ongoing tasks and delivers recommendations without being explicitly asked every time. The tool is powered by the Claude Opus 5.5 model, which provides the underlying intelligence for its actions. It also connects to a vast ecosystem of over 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace, giving it significant reach across different platforms.

Financial transactions are a key feature, but with built-in safety measures. Duet can make online purchases on a user's behalf using Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay. However, the company has stated that any sensitive step, such as processing a payment, requires explicit user approval. To further limit risk, the agent will not trade securities or transfer money between different accounts.

Data privacy is another major concern for business users. To address this, Anthropic released a new classifier that checks every message to prevent sensitive information from leaking out. By default, the agent is programmed to turn down requests that ask for credit card numbers or government identification details, adding a layer of protection against accidental data exposure.

The app is currently available on both iOS and Android devices. It is also accessible on the web through Claude.ai, but only for Pro and Max customers. The tool is in research preview, meaning it is still being tested and refined. Users who want to try it out must currently join a waitlist to gain access.