Another Crazy Day in AI: Anthropic Releases Cowork as Claude Code Alternative
- Wowza Team
- Jan 13
- 4 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Anthropic launches Cowork for non-coding work
How to govern fast-moving AI
Microsoft and LinkedIn release a book on AI and work
Some AI tools to try out
🎧 Listen to a quick breakdown of today’s stories.
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Claude Cowork Handles Files Without the Coding
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
What would your workday look like if a digital assistant could quietly handle files, drafts, and messy folders while you focused on the bigger picture?
Claude recently introduced a new feature called Cowork, designed to let its assistant move beyond conversation and into hands-on work. Instead of only responding to prompts, Cowork allows Claude to interact directly with selected folders on a user's computer, making it possible to organize files, build spreadsheets, and turn scattered notes into more structured documents. What started as a system aimed at developers is now being made available to a much broader group of people who deal with everyday digital tasks.
Rather than relying on long back-and-forth chats, Cowork is meant to feel more like assigning work to someone. You describe what needs to be done, Claude puts together a plan, and it works through the steps while keeping you updated and asking before making any significant changes. With access to approved folders, connected tools, and even the browser when paired with Chrome, the system is designed to handle much of the behind-the-scenes coordination that usually slows down everyday work.
What the announcement lays out
Cowork can read, edit, create, and organize files inside folders you choose
Tasks are handled with more independence than a typical chat, guided by a plan and regular updates
The same technology behind Claude’s coding tools is being used here for everyday, non-technical work
It can create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and pull in web information when paired with Chrome
Users decide what Claude can access and must approve major actions before they happen
There are still risks, including errors and misleading content, which makes clear instructions and oversight important
The feature is being released as a research preview, with more updates and broader platform support planned
Anthropic labels this a research preview, and that framing matters. The company is transparent about current limitations—Claude can misread instructions, particularly when they're ambiguous or layered with context. There's also the documented risk of prompt injection, where Claude might encounter malicious instructions hidden in files or online content that could alter its behavior. These aren't edge cases being mentioned for legal cover. They're known problems in AI agent systems that researchers across the industry are still figuring out. For lower-stakes tasks like organizing personal files, the risks might seem acceptable. For anything involving sensitive work documents or irreplaceable data, those same risks deserve serious consideration.
What Cowork really brings to the table is a different way of interacting with software. Most tools we use require explicit commands for every action—click here, type this, save that. Cowork asks users to describe an outcome and trust the system to figure out the steps. That requires a comfort level with uncertainty that not everyone shares, and reasonably so. Some people will find it freeing to offload tedious file management. Others will feel uneasy about software making judgment calls on their behalf. As this type of feature becomes more common, users will likely develop their own boundaries around what they're willing to delegate and what needs hands-on control. The learning curve goes both ways—users learning what the tool can handle, and companies learning where the technology still falls short.
Check it out here here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
How to Govern Fast-Moving AI
/Amir Banifatemi, (Chief Responsible AI Officer, Cognizant), and Karla Yee Amezaga, (Initiatives Lead, AI and Data Governance, WEF), on World Economic Forum
As AI systems become more autonomous and adaptive, the authors argue that traditional, slow-moving regulation can no longer keep up. Instead of relying on one-time audits, they propose continuous, real-time oversight that can detect risks as systems evolve in the wild. Governments, companies, and international bodies are already experimenting with monitoring tools, policy sandboxes, and shared safety infrastructure. The piece frames agile governance not as red tape, but as a way to make innovation safer, more trusted, and more scalable.
Read more here.
Microsoft and LinkedIn Release a Book on AI and Work
/Frank X. Shaw, (Chief Communications Officer, Microsoft), on the Official Microsoft Blog
Microsoft and LinkedIn have announced a new book, Open to Work, aimed at helping people understand how AI is reshaping careers, skills, and the way work gets done. Written by LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman, the book draws on LinkedIn data and Microsoft’s AI research to offer a grounded look at what’s changing. Rather than focusing on hype, it emphasizes how workers and leaders can stay adaptable as roles evolve. The goal is to give people a clearer path through a fast-shifting job landscape.
Check it out here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
Control Tower – Oversee projects, revenue, and client work in one place.
Gridfy – Turn raw data from tools into interactive, customizable widgets for your website.
ClickUp 4.0 – A converged workspace that brings projects, docs, chats, and AI into one place.
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
EXCITING NEWS:
The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!
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