# AI news, Friday, 18 September 2026

Compiled by Richard Brooks's AI news desk. Canonical: https://richard-brooks.com/ai-news/2026-09-18/

## Anthropic merges Cowork into Claude and launches Docs and Slides

Communication. Writers can create, edit and export documents and presentations in one conversation. Pro and Max roll out first, with Team and Free to follow.

Source: Anthropic, https://claude.com/blog/cowork-is-now-claude

## Google Home MCP lets Claude and other agents control smart homes

Agents. MCP agents can read device history and control Nest and Matter devices for US Premium Advanced users. Sensitive actions such as unlocking doors are blocked.

Source: Google, https://developers.home.google.com/mcp

## Instinct and Meta Muse agents gain outbound phone calling

Agents. Both agents can now call US businesses for bookings and service tasks. Consumer agents are competing on channels beyond chat.

Source: TechCrunch, https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/17/rival-ai-agents-instinct-and-metas-muse-both-add-the-ability-to-make-calls/

## Microsoft AI chief criticises Anthropic Claude welfare training

Policy. Suleyman says consciousness speculation in training makes models harder to shut down. The dispute sits inside the wider frontier pacing debate.

Source: Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/business/microsoft-ai-chief-calls-out-anthropics-approach-ai-consciousness-2026-09-16/