Mollick maps three paradigms for giving AI a computer: local, ephemeral cloud, persistent web
emollick · x · 2026-08-17
Wharton professor Ethan Mollick observes that companies are experimenting with three distinct approaches to giving AI a computer:
- Local machine: Codex and Claude Code run on your own device;
- One-time cloud machine: ChatGPT's web-based Work features, plus Claude and ChatGPT, give the AI an ephemeral online machine that gets reset;
- Persistent web machine: Grokbot assigns each AI agent a persistent web machine.
In a follow-up, he notes each approach has current advantages and disadvantages, and eventually one will become dominant.
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