Our framework for developing safe and trustworthy agents (www.anthropic.com)

Anthropic has introduced a comprehensive framework for developing safe and trustworthy AI agents—autonomous systems designed to carry out complex tasks with minimal human input. Unlike traditional AI assistants that respond to prompts, these agents independently manage entire projects, such as planning events or generating business reports, transforming the way users interact with AI. This framework addresses a crucial need as AI agents see rapid adoption across industries, exemplified by Claude Code, an agent capable of autonomously writing and debugging code, and industry-specific agents used in cybersecurity and financial services. The framework rests on core principles to balance agent autonomy with human oversight, emphasizing transparency in agents’ decision-making, alignment with human values, privacy protection, and robust security. For example, Claude Code operates with read-only permissions by default and requires human approval before modifying systems, allowing users to monitor its real-time workplan and intervene as needed. This design tackles key challenges such as preventing unintended agent behaviors, ensuring agents act within the user's intentions, and safeguarding sensitive information across extended interactions. Additionally, Anthropic’s open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP) offers granular controls over the agent’s tool access to enhance privacy and security. As AI agents become more powerful and prevalent, Anthropic’s evolving framework aims to set industry standards for responsible development, encouraging collaboration to refine best practices. By prioritizing safety, transparency, and control, this approach is poised to unlock agents’ transformative potential across sectors while mitigating risks associated with autonomous AI.