Anthropic Launches Claude Duet to Automate Business Tasks

Anthropic has officially entered the crowded field of AI agents with the launch of Claude Duet, a new application designed specifically for professionals and small business owners. The company is positioning this tool to compete directly with a growing list of rivals, including Meta’s Muse, OpenAI’s Dots, Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo. By focusing on workflow automation rather than general personal assistance, Anthropic aims to capture a segment of the market that requires structured, business-oriented support for daily operations.

The company has drawn a clear line between Claude Duet and consumer-facing assistants. While tools like Instinct focus on handling personal errands, such as booking tickets or managing household logistics, Duet is built to handle professional duties. Anthropic notes that the new agent is not designed to browse the web in real-time for users to watch, nor is it intended for simple personal tasks. Instead, it focuses on generating daily briefings, constructing data dashboards, and suggesting strategic actions based on user-provided information.

Technically, the agent operates by executing tasks in the background within its own virtual machine. This allows users to continue their work while Duet processes requests. The system will return to the user only when specific approval is needed, ensuring that the workflow remains uninterrupted. This background processing capability is a key feature, allowing the AI to manage complex sequences of actions without requiring constant user supervision.

The launch coincides with a broader industry shift from passive AI assistants to active agents that can execute tasks on behalf of users. Many competitors are also pivoting toward business use cases. For instance, while Meta’s Muse is primarily a personal assistant, the company has introduced a version tailored for small businesses with app integrations. Similarly, OpenAI’s Dots emphasizes a business slant by integrating with professional tools. Anthropic’s move places it squarely in this competitive arena, aiming to offer a robust solution for corporate and small-business environments.

Built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, Duet connects to more than 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace. This extensive connectivity allows the agent to interact with a wide range of digital services. Furthermore, the tool can facilitate online purchases on behalf of users through integrations with Stripe’s Link digital wallet and Shopify’s Shop Pay. To maintain control, Anthropic has set boundaries on financial actions; while the agent can make purchases, it will not trade securities or transfer money between bank accounts.

Security and privacy remain central to the new release. Anthropic introduced a new classifier designed to scan every message to prevent sensitive data from leaking. By default, the agent will decline requests that ask for credit card numbers or government identification, adding a layer of protection for user data. The company emphasized that sensitive steps, particularly payments, require explicit user approval before proceeding.

Claude Duet is currently available as an app for iOS and Android devices, as well as through the web interface on Claude.ai. The service is initially offered to Pro and Max customers who are participating in a research preview. Interested users must join a waitlist to gain access to the platform as Anthropic rolls out the agent to a wider audience.