Anthropic is expanding Claude Cowork beyond the desktop, launching the AI agent on iOS, Android, and web starting Tuesday. The agent can now continue working on tasks in the background and notify users via phone when decisions are needed.
Claude Cowork, Anthropic's AI agent designed to handle multi-step tasks autonomously, is now accessible across mobile and web platforms for the first time. Previously confined to the macOS and Windows desktop app, the expansion marks a significant step toward smartphone-controlled AI agents.
The rollout begins with Claude Max subscribers on Tuesday, with broader availability coming to other Claude users in the following weeks. The mobile and web versions allow the agent to persist in the background, continuing work even after users close their applications. When the agent requires user input or approval, it sends notifications to users' phones.
Anthropics notes that while mobile and web access is now available, the desktop app will remain the primary platform for the "full experience," housing more advanced features. This tiered approach balances accessibility with performance optimization.
The move blurs distinctions between Claude's Chat and Cowork interfaces, integrating agent capabilities more deeply into the broader Claude ecosystem. Users can now initiate tasks on desktop and monitor progress across devices.
The expansion reflects broader industry trends toward autonomous AI agents that operate beyond traditional chat interfaces. Unlike earlier chatbot models requiring constant user interaction, agents like Cowork can manage workflows independently and escalate matters requiring human judgment.
Anthropics expansion arrives as competitors intensify focus on AI agents. The market for autonomous AI systems continues accelerating, with companies emphasizing the ability to deploy agents across multiple platforms and devices for seamless task management.
The announcement also coincides with cost pressures in the AI industry. Microsoft recently announced plans to phase out external AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic in favor of proprietary alternatives, signaling intensifying competition over model economics and market positioning.
Mothers are increasingly using AI-powered apps like Ollie and Cozi Max to manage household chaos, from coordinating family schedules to automating grocery shopping and meal planning.
All G20 nations unanimously endorsed the Carolina Principles, a US-proposed framework that advocates for sector-specific, lighter-touch AI regulation rather than broad mandates.
Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel outlined artificial intelligence's potential to reshape classroom learning, speaking on Bloomberg The Close.
Viral images of grotesque AI-generated dishes have exposed a broader shift in how restaurants design menus. AI's role in food photography and menu creation extends far beyond the laughable outputs now circulating online.