Anthropic acquires Vercept as Claude pushes toward human-level computer use
Anthropic has acquired Vercept, the startup behind AI computer interaction product Vy, as it works to strengthen Claude’s ability to operate directly inside live applications.
The move follows reported performance gains in Claude Sonnet 4.6, which Anthropic says is approaching human-level capability on selected software navigation tasks.
The acquisition brings Vercept’s founding team into Anthropic and will see Vy shut down in the coming weeks. Anthropic positions the deal as part of a broader push to expand Claude’s computer use functionality, enabling the model to navigate interfaces, complete workflows, and take multi-step actions inside real software environments rather than simply generate outputs.
Claude’s OSWorld score rises from 15 percent to 72.5 percent
Anthropic says its Sonnet models improved from under 15 percent on OSWorld, a widely used evaluation for AI computer use, in late 2024 to 72.5 percent today. The company states that Sonnet 4.6 is now approaching human-level performance on tasks such as navigating complex spreadsheets and completing web forms across browser tabs.
Vercept Co-Founders Kiana Ehsani, Luca Weihs, and Ross Girshick explain the original thesis behind their work, writing: “When we started Vercept, we set out to build AI that works directly on your computer. Not in a distant cloud, but right alongside you, understanding your screen, your workflows, and your intent. We believed the future of human-computer interaction would be shaped by AI that could see what you see and act on your behalf, safely and transparently.”
They add that the transition to Anthropic does not change that direction: “That mission hasn't changed. It's found a bigger home.”
Ehsani, Weihs, and Girshick state that alignment on safety and utility was central to the acquisition, saying: “Today, we're excited to share that Vercept is joining Anthropic. From our earliest conversations, it was clear that Anthropic shares our conviction that AI should be both useful and responsible. Their commitment to building safe, steerable AI systems lines up with the principles that have guided us from the start. Together, we'll be able to push further into what's possible at the intersection of AI and the personal computing experience.”
Vy to close in March
Vercept confirms that Vy will shut down on March 25, 2026. Paid subscriptions will cancel at the end of the current billing period, with users able to continue at the same plan level for free until closure.
Addressing users directly, the founders say: “To our users and community: thank you. Your feedback, creativity, and willingness to try a new way of interacting with your computer made all of this possible. The energy and ideas you brought to Vercept have been extraordinary, and we're grateful for every bug report, feature request, and word of encouragement.”
They conclude: “We're really excited about what comes next. The work we started at Vercept will continue, now with the resources, talent, and vision of the most important AI research organization in the world behind it. The best is yet to come,”
Implications for AI in education and enterprise
Anthropic frames computer use as enabling Claude to complete multi-step work inside live applications rather than rely solely on generated code or static outputs. For EdTech and workforce systems, that shift could affect administrative workflows, research synthesis, spreadsheet management, and cross-platform task coordination.
The acquisition follows Anthropic’s earlier purchase of Bun and reflects a wider move toward AI systems that can see, interpret, and act within the same digital tools students, educators, and employees already use. As those systems expand, questions around safety, oversight, and governance are likely to remain central.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
