Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a consumer-focused artificial intelligence (AI) agent designed to handle tasks such as reading emails and shopping, as it expands its presence in the consumer AI market.
The tool has been launched as a research preview with a waitlist and is expected to become available to Claude Pro and Max subscribers.
Unlike conventional AI assistants that respond to user prompts, Claude Duet is designed to work proactively, carrying out tasks without requiring users to ask each time. Its features place it in competition with AI agents being developed by OpenAI and Meta Platforms.
Anthropic’s move comes as Meta expands the reach of its Muse AI agent. The company said on October 21 that more than 10 million people in the United States and Canada had set up Muse.
Claude has primarily been used by businesses and developers, but the launch signals Anthropic’s push to attract more individual users.
The competition is also raising questions about how AI companies will generate revenue from agents that can access personal information and perform tasks such as shopping. Anthropic’s reputation for AI safety could help it gain users’ trust as these tools seek access to email accounts and payment services.
However, Claude Duet’s initial availability through a waitlist could limit its reach compared with Meta’s existing user base.
The launch marks another step in the shift towards AI assistants that go beyond answering questions to managing everyday digital activities on users’ behalf.
