Anthropic’s Claude can now control your Mac, escalating the fight to build AI agents that actually do work

Anthropic’s Claude can now control your Mac, escalating the fight to build AI agents that actually do work

Anthropic's Claude Now Controls Macs, Escalating AI Agent Competition

Anthropic on Monday launched the most ambitious consumer AI agent to date, giving its Claude chatbot the ability to directly control a user's Mac – clicking buttons, opening applications, typing into fields, and navigating software on the user's behalf while they step away from their desk. The update, available immediately as a research preview for paying subscribers, transforms Claude from a conversational assistant into something closer to a remote digital operator.

Background & Context

This move thrusts Anthropic into the center of the most heated competition in artificial intelligence: the scramble to build agents that can act, not just talk. OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, and a growing swarm of startups are all chasing the same prize – an AI that operates inside your existing tools rather than beside them. The stakes are no longer theoretical, with Reuters reporting Sunday that OpenAI is actively courting private equity firms in what it described as an "enterprise turf war with Anthropic," a battle in which the ability to ship working agents is fast becoming the decisive weapon. This competition has significant implications for businesses and individuals looking to leverage AI for productivity and efficiency.

Impact on Swiss SMEs & Finance

For Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the emergence of AI agents that can control software and perform tasks autonomously has the potential to revolutionize workflows and increase productivity. However, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for workers to develop new skills to complement AI capabilities. Swiss banks and financial institutions may also see opportunities to integrate AI agents into their operations, but will need to carefully consider the regulatory and security implications of such integration.

What to Watch

As the competition between Anthropic and OpenAI intensifies, investors and market observers will be watching closely to see which company emerges as the leader in the development of AI agents that can act, not just talk. The ability to ship working agents will be a key differentiator, and Anthropic's recent move to give Claude the ability to control Macs is a significant step in that direction. Readers should monitor the development of AI agents and their applications in the Swiss market, particularly in the finance and productivity sectors.

Source

Original Article: Anthropic’s Claude can now control your Mac, escalating the fight to build AI agents that actually do work

Published: March 24, 2026

Author: michael.nunez@venturebeat.com (Michael Nuñez)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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