This week, three major announcements share a single thread: AI stopped being the thing you talk to and started being the thing that does the work.

Microsoft launched Copilot Tasks — a to-do list that completes itself on its own virtual computer. Perplexity shipped Perplexity Computer, orchestrating nineteen specialized AI models like a full department. And Anthropic expanded its Cowork plugins so Claude now lives inside Excel, Gmail, Slack, and dozens of enterprise tools.

Stephen Forte breaks down what each means for business leaders, why the open-source alternative isn't ready for operators, and how companies like Spotify, the NYSE, and Novo Nordisk are already deploying AI in production — not through top-down mandates, but by letting curious employees experiment.

1. Microsoft Copilot Tasks + Perplexity Computer + OpenClaw Comparison

1. Microsoft Copilot Tasks launch (February 26, 2026)
2. Perplexity Computer — nineteen AI models working in concert
3. OpenClaw — open-source agent, fastest GitHub repo to 100K stars
4. Why cloud solutions are the professional-grade path

2. Anthropic Cowork Plugins Expansion

1. Claude now embedded in Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Slack, DocuSign, FactSet, LSEG
2. Department-specific plugins for HR, Finance, Investment Banking, Engineering
3. NYSE, Spotify, Novo Nordisk production deployments
4. Deployment advice: pick one department, sixty days, let people experiment

1. Microsoft Copilot Tasks announcement
2. Perplexity Computer launch
3. OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot / Moltbot) GitHub
4. Cisco security research on OpenClaw skills
5. Anthropic Cowork Plugins expansion
6. Spotify, NYSE, Novo Nordisk case studies