Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Last Invention is AI
Episode: Claude Co-Work can now Control Your Computer
Host: Jaden Schaefer
Date: March 25, 2026

In this episode, host Jaden Schaefer explores Anthropic’s latest breakthrough: the new “computer use” feature in Claude Cowork, which enables the AI to control a user’s computer—including the mouse, keyboard, and screen. Jaden dives into practical use cases, setup experience, capabilities, limitations, and why this feature is poised to reshape white-collar productivity. The episode offers a first-hand review, practical advice, and reflections on broader implications for AI-driven automation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anthropic vs. OpenAI: Shifting the Productivity Landscape

• Anthropic has been releasing rapid-fire updates, eclipsing OpenAI’s momentum—especially after OpenAI announced the shutdown of their Sora video model.
• Jaden: “All signs basically point back to Anthropic and how much good ground they have gained with white collar and productivity work. And their revenue is absolutely insane as more and more people are using them to basically power their whole businesses and companies.” [01:01]

2. Introduction to Claude Cowork’s “Computer Use” Feature

• Felix Reisenberg (Anthropic) announced that Claude can now control your computer (macOS, recently added Windows): “Today we're releasing a feature that allows Claude to control your computer mouse, keyboard and screen, giving it the ability to see any app.” [05:12]
• The feature allows full automation by integrating with Dispatch (a remote control function) so users can command their computer from afar.

3. Practical Experience and Setup Details

• Installation: Only available in the native Claude app, not via browser. Requires toggling on Claude Cowork and Dispatch in settings.
• Cross-platform: Initially released on Mac, rapidly rolled out for Windows.
• Remote control: With Dispatch, users can monitor and instruct Claude from their phones while away from the computer.
• Jaden’s insight: Setting up Anthropic’s system is much easier than open-source alternatives like OpenClaw, which demand more technical expertise and tutorials.
  • “Cloud code is much harder to get set up and it doesn’t have a lot of the cool user interfaces.” [08:34]

4. Capabilities and Limitations

• Use Cases:
  • Automated web tasks (logging in, generating scripts and content, moving data between apps).
  • Automated video editing (using Cap Cut), newsletter creation, document drafting, and research.
  • Works particularly well with automation tools like AI Box (Jaden’s startup).
• Speed: System is notably slow but, according to Jaden quoting Felix at Anthropic, “giving Claude any mouse and keys is so exciting… It’s slow, but... this will work with both Claude Cowork and Claude Desktop app … you can use it to click all of the buttons in a legacy app that you'd like to automate or use it to help you debug a native app you're working on.” [11:50]
  • Jaden compares the pace to “honey,” emphasizing patience is needed.

5. Skill Files & Workflow Automation

• Claude Cowork can “save as a skill” any learned process or automation, creating a re-usable file with all permissions, steps, and workarounds needed.
• Jaden details the initial back-and-forth (including granting permissions for things like copy/paste), but celebrates that once a skill is created, repeating complex workflows becomes one-click simple.
  • “Once you save it as a skill… it kind of has it all figured out now.” [17:10]
• Recommendation: Run Claude Cowork automations on a dedicated machine (secondary laptop or Mac Mini) due to current speed constraints.

6. User Experience & Cultural Resonance

• Jaden references a viral post by Thomas Frank:
  • “Currently 892 hours into automating a 30 second task I do four times a year. It's going to be so worth it once I get everything working.” [23:36]
• Using the feature feels similar at first—high investment for long-term, repeatable savings.

7. Who Should Use This?

• For non-coders/white-collar users: Claude Cowork unlocks powerful automation without code or scripting knowledge.
• For developers: Open-source alternatives (like openclaw, Claude Code) may be more efficient for complex or high-frequency tasks.
• Jaden’s endorsement: “If you are a no coder like myself, this is 100%, I think, the best way to work with agents and to automate stuff. It is phenomenal. I would highly recommend it.” [27:34]

8. Future Outlook & Final Thoughts

• Jaden is optimistic about continual speed improvements as Anthropic refines the feature.
• The integration with existing AI automation tools hints at a future where much of routine tech work can be delegated to intelligent agents.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “All signs basically point back to Anthropic and how much good ground they have gained with white collar and productivity work.” — Jaden [01:01]
• “Today we're releasing a feature that allows Claude to control your computer mouse, keyboard and screen, giving it the ability to see any app.” — Felix Reisenberg, via Jaden [05:12]
• “It's slow, but giving Claude any mouse and keys is so exciting to me.” — Felix Reisenberg, via Jaden [11:50]
• “I literally have a couple... laptops. So I just ran that on my Mac all day yesterday and then was working off of my Windows as kind of my backup.” — Jaden [19:40]
• “Currently 892 hours into automating a 30 second task I do four times a year. It's going to be so worth it once I get everything working.” — Thomas Frank, via Jaden [23:36]
• “If you are a no coder like myself, this is 100%, I think, the best way to work with agents and to automate stuff.” — Jaden [27:34]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Anthropic’s rise versus OpenAI; white collar productivity gains | | 05:12 | Claude Cowork “computer use” feature announcement & overview | | 08:34 | Setup comparison: Claude vs openclaw and open source tools | | 11:50 | Speed and user experience; Felix Reisenberg’s perspective | | 14:30 | Real-world use cases: automating projects, web tasks, video editing | | 17:10 | Creating and reusing skill files — automating workflows | | 19:40 | Recommending dedicated machines for Claude Cowork automations | | 23:36 | Viral quote about automation investment (Thomas Frank); user experience reflection | | 27:34 | Who benefits: white collar users, no-coders, and Jaden’s strong endorsement |

Summary Conclusion

Jaden Schaefer’s hands-on review of Claude Cowork’s new screen, mouse, and keyboard control feature reveals a transformative step in AI-powered productivity. Slow but reliable at launch, it allows anyone—even non-coders—to delegate repetitive tasks and multistep workflows across applications. While the setup investment is nontrivial, saved “skills” make future use seamless. Jaden’s personal testing, detailed examples, and authentic narration make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the fast-approaching era of AI agents as digital coworkers.