Anthropic unveils Claude Duet, a proactive agent app on iOS, Android, and the web that works in the background, in research preview for US Pro and Max users

Your AI assistant can now proactively manage tasks and communicate on your behalf, requiring fewer manual inputs for recurring business operations.

Anthropic has launched a research preview of Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent application designed for professionals and small business owners. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, Claude Duet operates in the background to manage tasks, prioritize attention, and interact with connected applications on behalf of the user. It leverages Claude Opus 5.5 and integrates with over 6,000 connectors and plugins from the Claude Marketplace, allowing it to handle tasks ranging from scheduling meetings and replying to emails to drafting job postings and managing e-commerce stores. The app emphasizes safety and discretion, with built-in safeguards against sensitive data leaks and user approval required for actions like sending messages or making payments. Initially, Claude Duet is available to US-based Pro and Max plan subscribers, who can join a waitlist for access. The research preview aims to gather user feedback to shape future development, with a focus on professional workflows rather than personal errands.

Claude Duet represents a significant step towards truly agentic AI, moving beyond reactive chatbots to proactive assistants that continuously monitor and act on user-defined workflows. This shift signals a market trend where AI is integrated more deeply into operational processes, reducing the cognitive load on users by handling routine, time-sensitive, or complex multi-tool tasks autonomously. The emphasis on built-in safety, discretion, and a robust approval process addresses critical concerns for professional adoption, suggesting that future AI agents will need to demonstrate trustworthiness and security to gain widespread business use.

The availability of Claude Duet, integrated with a vast marketplace of business tools, suggests an emerging ecosystem where AI agents orchestrate complex business functions. This development could redefine productivity for professionals by offloading a significant portion of administrative and operational work, allowing for greater focus on strategic thinking and core business growth. As the AI agent landscape matures, expect increased competition in developing proactive, integrated solutions that offer tangible time savings and operational efficiencies, potentially reshaping how businesses manage workflows and data across various platforms.