AI agents disrupt legacy tech as Anthropic and AWS lead the shift

The rise of AI agents is reshaping how businesses operate, with major tech firms now deploying autonomous systems to replace traditional workflows. Companies like Anthropic and Amazon Web Services are leading the shift, while long-standing IT giants such as HP and Intel face contrasting fortunes in a rapidly evolving market.

This transformation comes as generative AI enters a more disruptive phase, forcing industries to rethink software, automation, and long-term business strategies. Anthropic's Claude AI has taken a significant leap forward by gaining the ability to control computers independently. The system can now execute complex tasks without relying on conventional software interfaces. Meanwhile, Amazon Web Services is developing its own AI agents to handle sales and technical roles previously managed by human employees. These advancements signal a broader industry trend where AI is replacing traditional software processes.

The shift is creating unease about future business models, particularly for legacy tech firms. HP, with a market capitalisation of $17.7 billion, remains a key player in PCs and printing but struggles with declining revenue in its Printing division. Despite solid margins in Personal Systems and a boost from its new AI-powered Spectre x360 2026 model, the company's stock has dropped 32.9% over the past year. Year-to-date, it has fallen another 13.76%, underperforming the S&P 500.

Intel, valued at $220.3 billion, presents a starkly different picture. As one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers, it has seen its shares surge by 82.45% over the past 52 weeks and 16.79% year-to-date. However, the company still faces challenges, including ongoing CPU shortages that disrupt supply chains for PC and server manufacturers. While AI demand and high-performance computing drive growth in the chip sector, Intel must navigate persistent production constraints.

Both HP and Intel are currently ranked among the lowest-performing IT stocks due to their exposure to legacy markets. Yet their trajectories highlight the divide between companies adapting to AI-driven change and those weighed down by older business structures. The generative AI race is accelerating, with autonomous agents now taking on roles once reserved for software and human workers. For established firms like HP and Intel, the impact is mixed—one grapples with declining revenue and stock performance, while the other rides a wave of semiconductor demand.

As AI reshapes automation, businesses must adjust to new operational realities or risk falling further behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.