What is Claude? Here's everything you need to know about Anthropic's increasingly popular chatbot

Claude, an innovative AI chatbot developed by Anthropic, is making waves in the tech world. Launched in March 2023, it quickly gained traction, especially after becoming publicly available in July of the same year. This chatbot is part of a suite of advanced AI models developed by Anthropic, including Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku. Notably, Opus 4.6, released in February 2026, achieved unprecedented success in passing one of the company’s challenging assessments for prospective engineers. Founded in 2021 by a group of seven former OpenAI staff, Anthropic was established with a primary focus on AI safety. The company’s name reflects its human-centric philosophy. Claude is named after Claude Shannon, a pioneering figure in information theory. The development of Claude was initially cautious, as CEO Dario Amodei expressed concerns about triggering an AI arms race, which led to a delay in its launch compared to competitors like ChatGPT. As competition intensified, Anthropic shifted its strategy to cater more to enterprise clients, launching features like Cowork in January 2026 to enhance Claude's usability for non-tech users. This expansion significantly increased Claude’s popularity, particularly after Amodei resisted Pentagon requests for unrestricted access to its models, a move that set it apart from OpenAI, which had accepted a military partnership. Claude is accessible through various platforms, including web browsers, mobile apps for iOS and Android, and desktop applications. The chatbot allows users to interact by typing prompts, and as of March 2026, it also supports voice interactions. Anthropic has introduced a range of models under the Claude brand, each designed for specific tasks, from swift operations to intricate problem-solving. In addition to providing standard chatbot functionalities, Claude includes numerous plugins for business applications like Microsoft 365 and Slack, enhancing productivity for users. However, despite its advancements, Claude is not without flaws; earlier iterations have been noted for generating inaccuracies or hallucinating information. Amodei has raised alarms regarding potential job losses due to AI, predicting that a substantial portion of entry-level white-collar jobs could be at risk in the coming years. Claude's training is unique, incorporating ethical guidelines inspired by international human rights documents, aiming to ensure that the AI operates in a constructive and responsible manner. The chatbot's influence surged following a failed negotiation with the Pentagon over AI usage, leading to a notable spike in interest. At one point, Claude even topped the Apple App Store’s free app rankings, showcasing its newfound popularity. Amidst these developments, Anthropic continues to solidify its position in the competitive landscape of AI technology, challenging established players while promoting a responsible approach to artificial intelligence.