Anthropic has expanded its Claude connector for Google Workspace, giving the AI assistant the ability to send messages through Gmail and manage files in Google Drive. The update, reported by Forbes and Mashable, marks a significant step in Anthropic's evolution of Claude into a more autonomous AI workplace agent.
Claude's new Gmail capabilities
According to Mashable, the connector now allows full Gmail inbox management. Claude can send and reply to emails without additional user input or approval, and can also forward emails without asking for permission. This builds on an existing Claude Connector for Google Workspace that already provided some Gmail access, as well as integration with Google Calendar and Google Drive.
Despite the increased autonomy, Claude still requires a human user to initiate the drafting or replying process. Once Claude writes a response, it no longer needs to check with the user before sending it — a change from previous behavior.
Users retain control over when Claude seeks approval before sending. As reported by Mashable, Claude asks for approval by default, and users must adjust their settings to allow the AI to send emails without checking first. For free Claude users, sending emails on their behalf requires a subscription to a paid Claude plan.
Claude Cowork expands to all paid accounts
Alongside the Gmail and Google Drive enhancements, Anthropic has expanded access to Claude Cowork, a tool designed to plan, execute, and complete multi-step workflows. According to Forbes, Claude Cowork can now be accessed via mobile and web interfaces on all paid accounts, allowing users to monitor tasks from locations beyond their desktop.
Forbes notes that this update positions Claude as "more of an AI workplace agent," capable of handling a broader range of work tasks directly within Google Workspace.
Context: AI's impact on jobs
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about AI's role in the workplace. Goldman Sachs has published a report estimating that AI adoption across major developed economies has reached roughly 15 percent to 20 percent. The investment bank found that industries with greater exposure to AI have experienced slower growth in job openings since 2022, with employment falling below historical trends in software publishing, management consulting, and advertising.
Goldman's analysis, as reported by Forbes, highlights significant effects in call centers, where employment is 39% below trend in the U.S., 33% below trend in Canada, and 27% below trend in Germany. After examining employment growth across 800 occupations, Goldman concluded that entry-level jobs are especially vulnerable. However, the bank's overall takeaway is that AI's impact on jobs is evident but "limited to a relatively narrow set of industries and workers."
Anthropic CEO's perspective
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has also weighed in on AI regulation and public perception. In posts on X, Amodei discussed what he describes as the "false choice" often presented in AI regulation debates. He said he disagrees with the notion that regulating AI constrains corporate power and benefits the everyday user, and confirmed his support for the Trump administration's approach of testing AI models pre-deployment.
Amodei pushed back against criticism that his public messaging on AI is disproportionately negative, attributing public skepticism to what he calls "a crisis of trust." His comments, as reported by Forbes, offer a glimpse into the thinking of a leading AI executive as his company's products become more integrated into everyday work tools.