Our question is simple: what useful work becomes possible, and what still needs to be proven? These are researched explainers with editorial analysis, not hands-on performance tests.

AnthropicBeta; enabled by default for API accounts

Claude Managed Agents

Durable sessions become a managed service

A hosted agent harness handles execution and persistent sessions around Claude. This is infrastructure, rather than a new foundation model.

What changes

The service supplies the agent loop, sandbox, tools, caching and context compaction. Long-running sessions retain conversation history, sandbox state and outputs, and can resume after pauses. Built-in tools cover files, shell and web access; MCP connects external tools.

Why it matters at work

A model's context window alone cannot keep a project running. A managed runtime reduces the engineering needed to resume work and coordinate execution.

The promise

  • Persistent sessions preserve work across pauses.
  • Built-in execution tools reduce integration work.
  • Caching and compaction are handled by the harness.

What to question

  • Beta behavior may change.
  • State and outputs are stored server-side.
  • Currently ineligible for Zero Data Retention and HIPAA BAA coverage.
The human role: People set the objective, configure tools and access, check progress and validate outputs. Managed execution does not replace domain accountability.
Model Context Protocol maintainers · 26 Jan 2026Stable official extension

MCP Apps

Interactive tools inside the agent conversation

MCP tools can return forms, dashboards and other interactive interfaces, giving people a direct way to inspect and steer agent work.

What changes

A tool declares a UI resource. A supporting host renders the interface in a sandboxed frame, and the UI communicates with the host through the extension's protocol. This is an interoperability layer for applications, not an AI model.

Why it matters at work

Reviewing a chart or adjusting a form can communicate decisions more precisely than another paragraph of chat, especially when a workflow needs human approval.

The promise

  • Shared UI conventions reduce host-specific integrations.
  • People can inspect and adjust structured information directly.
  • Interactive views stay alongside the task conversation.

What to question

  • The host must support the extension and its required features.
  • Developers still build and maintain the interface and backend.
  • An embedded UI does not itself guarantee correct data or safe actions.
The human role: People use the controls to inspect results, change parameters and approve intended actions; applications still define authorization.
GooglePreview capability on a stable model

Gemini 3.8 Flash Computer Use

Screen interaction with explicit action intent

An agent can inspect screenshots and propose clicks, typing and navigation across browser, desktop and mobile environments.

What changes

The model receives the task and screen state, returns an action with its intent, and the application executes it and sends back updated state. Gemini 3.x can return safety decisions requiring confirmation. Prompt-injection detection is available but opt-in.

Why it matters at work

Screen-based tools extend automation to software without a suitable API. They also make the observation–action–verification loop visible.

The promise

  • Reaches workflows that expose only a graphical interface.
  • Action intent helps people understand the next step.
  • Custom tools can explicitly yield control to a person.

What to question

  • The computer-use capability remains a preview.
  • UI mistakes and security vulnerabilities remain possible.
  • The application must implement execution, confirmation handling and recovery.
The human role: People supervise important tasks, handle requested confirmations and validate the result. Use recoverable workflows while evaluating reliability.
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