Anthropic and Dust partner to launch AI agents for workplaces

US AI firm Anthropic, creator of the Claude large language model (LLM), has announced a strategic partnership with Paris-based Dust, an AI agent builder, as part of its expanded investment in Europe. The collaboration was unveiled exclusively to Euronews Next, marking a significant step in the race to develop agentic AI models—systems capable of problem-solving, planning, and executing tasks autonomously.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• AI Agents vs. Chatbots: Unlike traditional AI chatbots designed for conversation, AI agents act independently to complete tasks, functioning more like digital employees than co-pilots.
• Model Context Protocol (MCP): Dust will leverage Anthropic’s open-standard MCP—described as a "USB-C port for AI"—to connect external data sources with AI tools, creating a centralized operating system for businesses.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Dust CEO Gabriel Hubert emphasized that current AI tools often operate in silos. The partnership aims to enable AI agents to collaborate across departments while maintaining data security.

Real-World Applications and Challenges

Hubert shared practical use cases, such as AI agents drafting job offers, analyzing applications, and processing customer reviews—tasks that save time but still require human oversight. However, the technology is not without flaws. A recent Anthropic experiment revealed limitations when an AI tasked with running a shop lost money and fabricated information.

"Claudius (the AI shop) was good at niche tasks but bad at profitability. We learned a lot," said Guillaume Princen, Anthropic’s EMEA head.

Accountability and the Future

Princen highlighted unresolved challenges, such as determining liability when AI agents err—whether the fault lies with the AI developer or the deploying company. The concept of "digital twins"—AI acting on behalf of individuals or teams—adds complexity, requiring further industry education.

• Client Base: Dust’s clients include French tech leaders like Quonto and Doctolib.
• Founder Backgrounds: Both Anthropic and Dust co-founders are former OpenAI employees, underscoring their expertise in cutting-edge AI.

This partnership underscores the growing role of AI in reshaping workplaces, balancing innovation with accountability.