AI May Soon Start Thinking for You, Says Anthropic Executive
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way people work. Tools like Claude Code can already write hundreds — and sometimes even thousands — of lines of code from a single prompt. AI agents are also helping users automate repetitive tasks, saving both time and effort.
But according to Cat Wu, the future of AI could become even more advanced.
AI Could Soon Become Proactive
Cat Wu, the Head of Product for Claude Code and Cowork at Anthropic, believes the next major step for AI is “proactivity.”
At present, AI tools still depend on human instructions. Users first decide what they want to automate and then ask the AI to perform that task.
However, Wu believes this process may soon change completely.
Speaking to TechCrunch, she explained that future AI systems could understand how a person works, identify patterns in their daily tasks, and automatically create useful automations without waiting for instructions.
“I think the next step is that Claude understands what you work on, and just sets up some of these automations for you.”
In simple terms, AI may soon move beyond responding to commands and begin anticipating user needs on its own.
Growing Concerns About AI Dependency
Wu’s comments come at a time when experts are increasingly debating the long-term impact of AI on human thinking and productivity.
Several recent studies suggest that people may already be becoming too dependent on AI tools.
One study found that users who relied on AI assistance for just 10 to 15 minutes performed noticeably worse once the tool was removed.
Another study revealed that although AI improved users’ speed and accuracy during tasks, many participants struggled when they had to work independently later. Some skipped difficult questions, while others gave up more quickly without AI support.
These findings have raised concerns that excessive dependence on AI could weaken critical thinking and problem-solving skills over time.
Could AI Replace Human Work?
As AI systems become more advanced and autonomous, many industry leaders believe they could eventually handle a large portion of human jobs.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has previously suggested that AI may one day free humans from traditional work entirely, allowing people to spend more time on personal interests, creativity, or hobbies.
Anthropic Is Making Claude More Independent
Anthropic has already been working toward making Claude more autonomous.
With features such as “Auto Mode” and automated code review, Claude can now complete more tasks independently and even make certain decisions without requiring constant user approval.
This shows how AI systems are gradually evolving from simple tools into intelligent assistants capable of handling complex workflows with minimal human involvement.