Anthropic’s release of Claude Cowork marks the true beginning of an era where AI is more than just a tool, but a workplace colleague. Unlike existing chatbots, this service is designed to directly participate in the workflow and collaborate. It’s causing major ripples throughout the software industry.
Claude Cowork autonomously handles repetitive tasks in practice, such as document creation, code review, email drafting, and meeting minutes. Unlike existing AI that produces results when instructed, the key differentiator is its ability to understand the context of work and proactively suggest tasks. According to a CNN Business report, the emergence of this tool has led to a sharp decline in software-related stock prices. The market is reacting sensitively to the possibility that AI will replace existing SaaS products. Bloomberg reported that legal software stocks, in particular, have fallen sharply. This reflects concerns that AI can replace a significant portion of tasks such as contract review and precedent analysis. Anthropic emphasizes that Claude Cowork is intended to assist, not replace, people, but the market interprets it differently. AI Apps cited this service as the most notable AI news in February 2026, predicting that it will become a new benchmark for business automation.
The emergence of AI colleagues is not just a technological advancement, but a harbinger of structural changes in the labor market. Job roles centered around repetitive tasks will inevitably need to be redefined, and at the same time, improving productivity through AI will be key to competitiveness. How companies adapt to this change will determine the winners and losers in the coming years.
FAQ
Q: How is Claude Cowork different from the existing ChatGPT?
A: While ChatGPT responds to questions, Claude Cowork is a collaborative AI that directly participates in the workflow, understands the context, and proactively performs tasks.
Q: Which job roles are most affected?
A: Job roles centered around repetitive knowledge work, such as legal document review, customer support, and data organization, are likely to be affected first. In fact, legal software stocks have plummeted.
Q: Is Claude Cowork currently available?
A: Anthropic released it in early February 2026 and is gradually providing it as a service for businesses. Specific pricing plans and access methods can be found on the official Anthropic website.