A top Anthropic engineer warns AI agents will transform every computer-based job in America — and it will be 'painful'
Business Insider
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A top engineer at Anthropic, Boris Cherny, warns that AI agents like Claude Code will soon transform nearly every computer-based job in America, with significant disruption arriving rapidly. This shift could impact roles such as software engineers, product managers, and designers, altering their responsibilities entirely. Cherny emphasized that while the technology is advancing quickly, it has yet to match the skill level of a human worker.
Claude Code, Anthropic's AI coding agent built on its Claude models, operates differently from traditional chatbots. It can perform tasks like running commands, analyzing documents, messaging colleagues, and even building websites—essentially using a computer as a human would. While the technology is still evolving, Cherny noted that his team has already seen productivity increase sharply since launching Claude Code, with improvements expected to continue.
Cherny predicted that job titles like "software engineer" may start disappearing by 2026, highlighting the need for workers to adapt. The broader societal impact of this shift remains uncertain, but Cherny stressed the importance of experimenting with AI tools and understanding their functions rather than fearing them. For businesses and individuals navigating this change, staying informed and proactive will be key to thriving in an increasingly automated workforce.
This transformation matters to readers interested in business because it highlights the urgent need for companies and employees alike to adapt to rapidly advancing AI technologies. The ability to harness these tools effectively could determine future success in industries reliant on computer-based tasks.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/22/2026