Anthropic Unveils Claude Duet to Automate Business Workflows

Anthropic has officially launched Claude Duet, a new artificial intelligence agent designed specifically for professionals and small businesses. The release marks the company’s entry into a rapidly expanding market of productivity-focused AI tools, positioning the new software against competitors such as Meta Muse, OpenAI Dots, Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo. By targeting the B2B sector, Anthropic aims to capture user attention in a space that is currently saturated with new personal and productivity-based assistants launching on a weekly basis.

The company has drawn a clear line between Claude Duet and existing personal agents. While rivals like Instinct focus on handling errands or booking tickets, Anthropic states that Duet is not optimized for those specific consumer tasks. Furthermore, the new agent does not provide a live view of its browser usage as it operates. Instead, the tool is engineered to build daily briefings, create data dashboards, and suggest strategic actions based on the user’s existing information.

A key feature of the new platform is its ability to operate independently. Like other agents in the market, Duet can complete tasks in the background using its own virtual machine. This allows users to continue with their other responsibilities while the software works, only returning for user approval when necessary. The launch coincides with a broader industry shift from simple AI assistants to more autonomous agents that can execute work on behalf of the user.

Anthropic’s competitors are also pivoting toward business use cases. Although Meta’s Muse is primarily a personal assistant, the company recently released a version tailored for small businesses that includes connections to other applications. Similarly, OpenAI’s Dots has been designed with a business slant, featuring integrations with professional tools. In this competitive landscape, Anthropic is emphasizing proactive delivery of recommendations as it monitors ongoing tasks.

The underlying technology for Claude Duet is built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model. To facilitate its workflow, the agent can connect to more than 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace. This extensive connectivity allows the software to interact with a wide range of third-party services, enhancing its utility for professional workflows that require data from multiple sources.

Financial transactions are handled with a specific focus on security and user control. Duet can make online purchases on behalf of users through Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay. However, Anthropic has established that sensitive steps, particularly payments, will always require explicit user approval. The agent is restricted in its financial capabilities; it will not trade securities or move money between different accounts, ensuring that significant financial maneuvers remain under human supervision.

To address privacy concerns, Anthropic has introduced a new classifier that scans every message to prevent the leakage of sensitive information. By default, the agent is programmed to decline requests that ask for credit card numbers or government identification documents. This added layer of security is designed to reassure users that their confidential data remains protected while the agent operates within their digital environment.

Claude Duet is currently available as a mobile application for both iOS and Android devices. It is also accessible via the web through Claude.ai, specifically for Pro and Max customers. The tool is currently in a research preview stage, and interested users must join a waitlist to gain access to the new agent and its business-focused features.