Anthropic Unveils AI Models with Autonomous Computer Task Feature

Anthropic, a startup supported by Alphabet and Amazon.com, launched two updated artificial intelligence models on Tuesday, introducing a new feature that allows the AI to autonomously perform computer tasks and save users time by reducing keystrokes.

The “computer use” feature enables the AI to direct actions such as moving the mouse, clicking, and typing to execute complex tasks, according to Anthropic’s Chief Science Officer, Jared Kaplan. This capability is specifically designed for software developers and signifies a shift towards AI agents—programs that can execute multi-step actions with minimal human input.

Researchers believe that these agents represent a significant advancement in AI development beyond traditional chatbots, which are adept at generating text or code but not at performing actions.

Anthropic showcased examples of the feature, including coding a basic website and using various applications like Google Search and Apple Maps to organise a sunrise outing.

The company offers software developers three versions of its AI model, Claude, at different price points based on performance. The latest updates apply to Sonnet, the mid-tier model, and Haiku, the most affordable option. The newly released 3.5 version of Haiku can generate code in a way that is “almost comparable” to the Sonnet version released in June.

Also Read: Microsoft to Launch Autonomous AI Agents

CEO Dario Amodei previously mentioned plans to update Opus, the most advanced model, by the end of the year.

Currently, the computer use feature is available only in the new Claude 3.5 Sonnet version and includes safeguards to prevent misuse in spam, fraud, and election-related activities. However, Kaplan acknowledged that the AI still makes errors.

Mike Krieger, a co-founder of Instagram who joined Anthropic this spring as Chief Product Officer, expressed that the company seeks feedback from business customers to refine the feature’s development.

Additionally, a team within Anthropic is investigating how to make this capability accessible to consumers, a goal that Krieger personally supports. “I was booking flights,” he remarked. “I just want this to be completely automated.”

On a related note, Microsoft unveiled an application on Monday that allows its clients to create their own agents capable of handling queries, identifying sales leads, and managing inventory.

REUTERS/Chidimma Gold