By Li Ting
The emergence of long-running AI agents marks a significant leap in the history of artificial intelligence development. Anthropic’s releases, Claude Code and Cowork, are transforming corporate operations and market dynamics. These AIs can handle complex tasks continuously, boost efficiency, and reshape workflows, while also triggering volatility in tech stocks. Competitors like Google and OpenAI are following closely, intensifying the AI race and signaling profound future changes for business models, human resource structures, and the economic ecosystem.
Claude Code and Cowork can handle complex, multi-step tasks
They can organize files, draft documents, extract data from spreadsheets, and even integrate research reports. Users can assign objectives to the agents, allowing them to compute continuously in the background rather than being limited to instant chat interactions. Anthropic has also launched 11 open-source plugins covering specialized fields such as law and finance, providing customized solutions for enterprises.
Scott White, head of Anthropic’s enterprise products, said this “long-term thinking” capability allows agents to evaluate task complexity and required effort autonomously, operating continuously for hours or even days. This ability not only improves work efficiency but also prompts companies to rethink business models and approaches to innovation.
Researchers also noted that when Opus 4.5 is combined with OpenAI’s GPT-5.2, agents can maintain task continuity over long periods, performing highly complex operations. For instance, while browsing web pages, the agents proactively annotate elements, take screenshots, and debug—actions not explicitly instructed—demonstrating autonomous learning and creative abilities.
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Restructuring enterprises and markets: AI disrupts business models
Long-running AI agents are reshaping how companies operate. Anthropic’s agents accelerate internal R&D and can integrate data across departments, compressing analysis cycles. The roles of product managers, designers, and engineers are changing: tasks that once took weeks can now be completed in minutes, shifting the work focus from “manual execution” to “guiding and reviewing AI.”
Jeff Stibel, CEO of LegalZoom, noted that AI makes entrepreneurship and professional services more efficient. AI provides data insights, while companies provide actionable solutions and trust assurance. This model disrupts traditional workflows, enabling rapid iteration and the creation of new revenue streams across marketing, compliance, and product development.
In the stock market, following the release of industry-specific plugins and advanced models by Anthropic, related tech stocks fell consecutively, affecting SaaS, legal services, finance, and real estate sectors. Investors are taking seriously AI’s potential to disrupt enterprise value chains. This is not just a technological innovation but a deep restructuring of business models.
AI competition intensifies: Anthropic versus Google and OpenAI
Anthropic is not the only player in the AI space. Google continues to advance with its Gemini model, while OpenAI maintains market vitality through ChatGPT and new financing. Over the past decade, Google has accumulated deep technical expertise—including Google Brain, DeepMind, and custom TPU chips—supporting its AI strategy. The release of Gemini and applications like the Nano Banana image generator have enabled Google to gain ground in multimodal AI while keeping its search advertising business stable.
OpenAI is pursuing large-scale financing, including SoftBank’s proposed additional $30 billion investment and plans to raise up to $100 billion to support AI R&D, computing power, and talent retention. Although Anthropic has an edge in the enterprise market, OpenAI still holds massive influence in user base and capital strength.
This AI race reflects global tech companies’ struggle for future work methods, data processing capabilities, and market dominance. Executives, investors, and analysts generally agree that a clear winner may not emerge in the short term, as the rapid pace of technology can shift leadership positions at any time.
Future outlook under new technology: the shift from creation to editing
Long-running AI agents not only impact enterprise workflows but will also change human resource structures and skill requirements. Alex Salazar, co-founder of Arcade.dev, pointed out that future junior employees will act more as “editors” rather than “doers,” leveraging AI to complete complex tasks while human advantages lie in integrating taste, judgment, and creativity.
In software engineering and data analysis, agents like Claude can accomplish in weeks what once required years of human effort, driving enterprise innovation and the emergence of new business models. Investors’ serious focus on AI indicates that the economic sphere faces potentially deep transformation.
Over the next decade, companies will need to build competitive advantages on shared AI platforms while managing risks and security. The rise of AI is not just a productivity boost—it could fundamentally alter business ecosystems, work styles, and market rules. Technological advances by Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI clearly signal that an era dominated by intelligent agents has arrived.
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