News
Key Takeaways
- Claude now handles file management, document drafting and task automation with Cowork.
- Users decide folder access and approve significant AI actions.
- Claude business users gain workflow automation but must manage security risks.
Anthropic is betting that AI assistants should do more than chat — they should work alongside users, handling files and automating tasks directly on their machines.
On Jan. 12, 2026, the company launched Cowork, a research preview feature that enables Claude AI to manage files, draft documents and perform tasks on users' Macs. The feature is available immediately for Claude Max subscribers through the macOS app.
According to Anthropic, Cowork emerged after developers began using Claude Code for tasks beyond coding. The company built Cowork to provide a simpler way for anyone, not just developers, to work with Claude in the same manner.
Users grant Claude access to specific folders, allowing the AI to read, edit or create files. The company claims Claude can reorganize downloads, create spreadsheets from screenshots or draft reports from scattered notes.
Table of Contents
- Cowork Capabilities: Files, Docs and Automated Tasks
- From Funding to Features: Anthropic’s Breakout Year
- The Rise of AI Systems That Manage Work, Not Just Tasks
- Productivity Gains Come With Expanding Attack Surfaces
- Anthropic at a Glance
Cowork Capabilities: Files, Docs and Automated Tasks
According to Anthropic, Cowork brings Claude Code capabilities to non-technical users. The feature represents a broader industry shift toward AI agents that can autonomously execute tasks.
| Feature | How It Works |
|---|---|
| File management | Read, edit and create files in user-specified folders |
| Connector integration | Links Claude to external information sources |
| Document skills | Initial skills for creating documents and presentations |
| Task queuing | Queue multiple tasks for parallel execution |
| Browser integration | Pair with Claude in Chrome for web-based tasks |
Related Article: Vibe Coding Explained: Use Cases, Risks and Developer Guidance
From Funding to Features: Anthropic’s Breakout Year
Anthropic experienced explosive growth through 2025 and early 2026, securing two major funding rounds beginning with a $3.5 billion Series E in March at a $61.5 billion valuation, followed by a $13 billion Series F in September led by ICONIQ at $183 billion. Run-rate revenue grew from approximately $1 billion in January to $5 billion by August. By October, Reuters reported the run-rate approached $7 billion with targets of $26 billion in 2026.
The company expanded its product portfolio throughout 2025. Google opened Workspace to Claude in April, and in October Moody's partnered with Anthropic to integrate entity data into Claude for Financial Services.
The Rise of AI Systems That Manage Work, Not Just Tasks
Enterprise AI productivity platforms are evolving from basic automation to sophisticated systems handling document creation, workflow management and file operations. Workplace productivity tools now treat AI capabilities as table stakes.
The market is shifting from traditional robotic process automation to AI-powered systems. Industry reports found 88% of enterprises are actively planning intelligent automation initiatives, with 77% focusing on their most complex processes.
Productivity gains appear substantial. More than half of software professionals report productivity boosts up to 74% from AI-powered coding tools.
Productivity Gains Come With Expanding Attack Surfaces
Still, AI productivity tool deployment carries significant security implications. Recent research found 55% of organizations identified data security and privacy as critical risks — the only category exceeding 50% concern among decision-makers.
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Shadow AI usage compounds these risks. A 16-country study found 84% of workers using generative AI had inadvertently exposed company data, while more than half use AI tools without employer approval.
Technical issues also persist across implementations. Survey data showed 66% of respondents encountered problems with generative AI since January 2025, including:
- Responses lacking detail (40%)
- Misunderstood prompts (38%)
- Biased outputs (35%)
- Hallucinations (32%)
- Clearly incorrect content (23%)
Anthropic at a Glance
Anthropic develops AI systems for enterprises and mission-driven organizations, with a focus on safety, transparency and compliance. The company was founded in 2021 and is structured as a public benefit corporation. Anthropic also created the model context protocol, an open standard for connecting AI assistants to external data sources.
