Anthropic Updates Cowork to Move Work to the Cloud

In short: Anthropic updated Cowork so that its tasks run entirely in the cloud. This change helps save computer battery, disk space, and performance.

If you have ever watched a heavy computer program drain your laptop battery and slow down your machine, you know how frustrating powerful software can be.

What happened, in plain words

Felix Rieseberg from Anthropic announced a new version of Cowork. The older version ran model inference—the process where artificial intelligence figures out a response—and a virtual machine on the user's computer. The updated version moves both model inference and the virtual machine into the cloud. Each session gets its own isolated sandbox, while the desktop app handles getting files from the user's device when needed.

Key points

Old version issues Users disliked that the older local setup used up disk space, drained laptop batteries, hurt performance, and stopped working when the laptop closed.
Cloud-based approach The new version runs everything in the cloud, giving every session its own separate sandbox.
New possibilities The update aims to solve previous complaints, allowing people to use Cowork from a phone and keep tasks running without draining local battery.

Terms explained

model inference — The process where an artificial intelligence program thinks through information to generate an answer or result. Example: Asking a smart assistant a question and waiting for it to process and speak the answer back to you.
virtual machine — A software-based computer that runs inside your actual physical computer like a separate digital workspace. Example: Running a completely different operating system inside a window on your main desktop screen.
sandbox — A secure, isolated computer environment where programs can run safely without affecting the rest of the system. Example: Testing a new video game in a restricted trial room where it cannot change your computer's main settings.

Why it matters

People who use Cowork may see improvements in battery life and computer performance, and they gain the ability to use the tool from a phone or keep tasks running even if their laptop is shut.

What we still don't know

The source does not provide complete details on all technical operations, exact performance metrics, or a full rollout schedule.

Based on reporting from Simon Willison. This is an independent explainer, written in our own words with AI assistance; Simon Willison has not reviewed or endorsed it. Read the original for the full details.