Anthropic launches Cloud Cowork, a general-purpose AI agent designed as a more user-friendly and accessible version of Cloud Cowork’s offering.
Currently in research preview, Cowork is built into the cloud desktop app and enables users to specify a specific folder that the cloud can access, with the ability to read and modify files.
Tasks are executed using natural language prompts, Cowork is designed to complete work in the background of the user’s desktop, with regular progress updates provided.
Described by Anthropic as “cloud code for the rest of your work”, Cowork is built on the same foundation as cloud codeA model released in 2024 that proved popular among programmers.
The main difference is that Cowork is for less tech-savvy users.
According to Anthropic, the launch responds to the growing number of cloud code users using the agent for non-coding tasks.
“When we released Cloud Code, we expected developers to use it for coding. They did – and then immediately started using it for almost everything,” Anthropic said in a blog post At launch. “This inspired us to create Cowork.”
According to Anthropic, potential use cases include assembling expense reports from a folder of receipt photos or creating a first draft of a report from “scattered notes.”
While the design objective is ease of use, Anthropic warned of risks, especially for those who only use the cloud for conversations.
In particular, the company detailed the risks of files being deleted accidentally or by prompt injection – an attempt by attackers to alter the cloud’s plans.
To avoid such errors, Anthropic recommended that users make instructions as clear and unambiguous as possible.
“These risks are not new with Cowork,” the post reads, “but this may be the first time you’re using more advanced tools that go beyond a simple conversation.”
Cowork is currently only available to Max customers, although there is a waitlist available for users on other plans.
Anthropic said it would continue development of the agent after general release.
