Anthropic’s new AI automation tool, Claude Cowork, has ignited a passionate debate in the wider tech industry. It’s more than a coding assistant; it’s designed to perform complex workflows for legal, sales, marketing, and data analysis work. Its launch has ignited rumours of AI moving beyond simple assistance and into areas long considered the domain of enterprise software and IT services companies.
What does Claude Cowork do?
Claude Cowork, developed by Anthropic, extends the family of Claude AI products into task automation. It goes beyond suggesting code or composing messages. It can perform complex workflows that previously required specialised platforms.
For instance, the kinds of tasks that require big platforms like Salesforce, ServiceNow, or DocuSign. Now imagine these tasks being accomplished through AI-powered workflows. This includes document management, customer data management, report creation, and synchronising internal business processes.
The larger implication is that AI may not only enable software ecosystems but potentially disrupt them.
Also Read | ChatGPT crosses 100 million weekly users in India — here's who's driving the AI boom in country
Why are markets reacting?
The announcement ignited a storm of responses in the tech stocks market globally. Analysts suggested that AI automation could disrupt the traditional SaaS and outsourcing model. In India, market leaders Infosys, Wipro, and TCS came under selling pressure as investors feared that widespread automation could slow demand for traditional software services.
Investors characterised the moment as a potential inflexion point in the industry, with some calling it a “SaaSpocalypse.”
How are developers responding?
Reactions within the developer community have been mixed. Aditya Agarwal, Silicon Valley veteranand former Director of Product Engineering at Meta, took to X, writing, “I spent a lot of time over the weekend writing code with Claude. And it was very clear that we will never ever write code by hand again. It doesn't make any sense to do so. Something I was very good at is now free and abundant. I am happy...but disoriented.”
Also Read | Digital privacy tip: AI can track locations from photos even when GPS is off
It's a weird time. I am filled with wonder and also a profound sadness.
— Aditya Agarwal (@adityaag) February 3, 2026
I spent a lot of time over the weekend writing code with Claude. And it was very clear that we will never ever write code by hand again. It doesn't make any sense to do so.
Something I was very good at is…
“So both the form and function of my early career are now produced by AI. I am happy but also sad and confused. If anything, this whole period is showing me what it is like to be human again”, he further added.
On the other hand, researchers at Anthropic pointed out that overdependence on AI coding tools might weaken “mastery,” particularly among young developers.
I'm very happy that people run more of these experiments, but I'm so surprised about the results.
— Marius Hobbhahn (@MariusHobbhahn) February 2, 2026
Maybe it's the research vs. SWE setting, but research sprints that would have taken me at least 2 weeks during my PhD, I can now do in a weekend with AI. https://t.co/A38Co8OhoP
“I'm very happy that people run more of these experiments, but I'm so surprised by the results. Maybe it's the research vs. SWE setting, but research sprints that would have taken me at least 2 weeks during my PhD, I can now do in a weekend with AI”, he wrote.
Online discussions are a part of a larger debate. While many people are in favour of automation for mundane tasks, there are apprehensions about what this might mean for the long-term development of skills and software quality.
