Anthropic Launches Claude AI Mac Control Feature

Anthropic announced on Monday a new feature for its Claude AI model that enables the system to directly control users' Mac computers, performing tasks such as opening applications, navigating browsers, and editing files without human intervention. The capability, available as a research preview exclusively for Claude Pro and Max subscribers on macOS, allows users to assign tasks remotely from their mobile devices, marking a step toward more autonomous AI agents.

The feature, integrated into Claude's Cowork and Code tools, operates by analyzing screenshots of the user's screen to identify interface elements and simulate mouse movements, clicks, and keyboard inputs. According to Anthropic, Claude prioritizes built-in connectors for services like Google Calendar or Slack to complete tasks efficiently. When those are unavailable, it requests permission to take direct control, such as exporting a presentation to PDF and attaching it to a meeting invite, as demonstrated in a company video where the AI handled the process end-to-end while the user was away from their desk.

Users can initiate these actions through Dispatch, a recently launched tool that supports ongoing conversations...