Keeping you up to date on the latest in tech and cyber. Feel free to forward to interested colleagues and acquaintances.
Two items in this newsletter: A review of the release of Claude Opus 4.6, and reflections on Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s recent essay The Adolescence of Technology.
Who Does What
For three decades, we’ve watched technology reshape how businesses operate, and today we’re keeping close watch on potentially another fundamental shift : AI. But this time feels unique, Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing what computers can do; rather it’s changing who can harness their power.
Questions about how AI might impact your specific industry or operations? We’re here to help you navigate this transition thoughtfully, putting AI to work with InfoWorks. Get our free Business Guide to AI Tools.
AI does work… and creates work
Pretty much the whole entire pitch for enterprise AI is that it will increase the productivity of your existing workforce or replace some jobs entirely, the gateway to that eternal quest to “do more with less.” But a new report from Workday concluded that “for every 10 hours of efficiency gained through AI, nearly four hours are lost to fixing its output,” so adjust your expectations accordingly.
Having said that, Anthropic’s latest release, Claude Opus 4.6, represents a significant leap forward in practical business AI. This generation of agent is capable of really useful work and with really low hallucination.
Think of it this way: previous AI models were like very smart interns who could handle specific tasks when given precise instructions. Claude Opus 4.6 is more like a seasoned assistant who can understand context, ask clarifying questions, and work on more complex tasks. Now available a plugin to Excel, everyone can be a spreadsheet wiz! What used to be a defining skill for management productivity is within reach of a much broader set of employees.
AI is beginning to democratize expertise. This isn’t about replacing people, it’s about amplifying their capabilities. The most successful businesses will treat AI as a force multiplier: one experienced professional with AI assistance can now do what previously required a small team a lot more time.
The Adolescence of Technology: Dario Amodei’s Vision
In his recent essay “The Adolescence of Technology” Anthropic (Claude) CEO Dario Amodei argues that we’re entering a unique period where AI is powerful enough to be genuinely useful, but not yet so advanced that it raises existential concerns. He compares it to the teenage years: capable and energetic, but still requiring guidance and oversight.
This metaphor matters for your business planning:
Just as you wouldn’t ignore a teenager’s potential or capabilities, it would be unwise to dismiss AI as “not ready” or “just hype.” However, like working with adolescents, you need an approach with appropriate structure, supervision, and realistic expectations.
Amodei emphasizes that this “adolescent” phase of AI is particularly valuable because it’s:
- Accessible: You don’t need a computer science degree to use it effectively
- Practical: It solves real problems today, not theoretical ones tomorrow
- Collaborative: It augments human judgment rather than replacing it
Business Will Change
In the next 12-18 months, expect to see:
- Competitive Advantage Shifts: Companies that integrate AI thoughtfully into their workflows have the potential to operate at a different speed than those that don’t. If the current trajectory continues, this gap can widen quickly.
- Productivity Redefined: Tasks that consumed hours will take minutes. The bottleneck won’t be execution, it will be decision-making and strategy.
- New Security Considerations: As AI handles more sensitive business information, data governance and AI usage policies become critical infrastructure, not afterthoughts.
Recommendation: Start Learning Now
You don’t need to overhaul your entire operation overnight. Instead:
- Identify one repetitive, high-value task in your organization that requires judgment (not just data entry).
- Test Claude or similar tools with a small pilot team for 30 days.
- Measure the results not just in time saved, but in quality of outputs and employee experience.
- Build internal expertise as the technology develops.
The businesses that thrive in the next decade won’t be those with the most AI, they’ll be those that learned earliest how to integrate it naturally into their culture and operations and where to keep it out.
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Much more to come in this space as we leverage the latest AI technologies to expand support to include each customer’s unique processes. Stay tuned – subscribe now.
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