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Anthropic is considering rolling out a new AI model to counter OpenAI\u2019s momentum since its launch of GPT-6 Astra, according \u200bto three sources, ahead of an expected IPO and after its CEO called for an industrywide slowdown.<\/strong><\/p>\n The timing of a potential launch aimed at addressing competitive pressure from a \u200cdirect rival follows Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei\u2019s call on the global AI community to slow down the pace of releasing new capabilities to address safety concerns, the sources said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models,\u201d Amodei wrote in a 3,800-word essay on September 12.<\/span><\/p>\n The essay, which painted a bleak picture of swarms of AI agents taking over the internet and outpacing human control, drew support from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.<\/span><\/p>\n OpenAI\u2019s GPT-6 Astra, released this \u200bmonth, has gained traction among businesses, prompting concerns among some investors who told Reuters they are re-evaluating Anthropic\u2019s position as the leading provider of enterprise AI tools.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthropic is evaluating the safety of \u200bits next model as part of its deliberations over a release, one of the people familiar with the matter said.<\/span><\/p>\n Some of the discussions involve how to \u2060balance investment in releasing new models with efforts to strengthen the company\u2019s profitability as rising interest rates make investors more focused on the timing of expected profits, said people familiar with the company\u2019s thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n The debate \u200bover spending highlights the increasing pressure on the firms at the center of the AI boom to produce sustainable cash flows sooner, thanks both to rising rates and tough competition from open-source AI providers, especially in China.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthropic \u200bdeclined to comment for this story.<\/span><\/p>\n The potential launch would test how Anthropic can defend its enterprise market position against OpenAI while maintaining the safety-first identity that has distinguished it from competitors.<\/span><\/p>\n OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra on September 3, touting gains in computer use, software engineering, cybersecurity and professional work. The model has received a strong response from enterprise users and developers, prompting potential Anthropic IPO investors to scrutinize whether OpenAI could begin taking share from Anthropic, which has \u200bbeen viewed for months as the leader in enterprise AI.<\/span><\/p>\n Tech giants at the China International Supply Chain Expo showcased their latest gadgets at the event\u2019s first-ever artificial intelligence zone.<\/span><\/p>\n Astra accounted for about 13% of enterprise AI spending tracked by corporate expense platform Ramp, compared with about 8% for Anthropic\u2019s Claude Fable, according to the \u200blatest data.<\/span><\/p>\n Astra has also pulled ahead on OpenRouter, a widely used platform that routes developer traffic across AI models. OpenRouter said its users spent more on OpenAI models than on Anthropic models last week, the first time OpenAI has \u200cled on that \u2060measure in more than two and a half years.<\/span><\/p>\n Some existing investors and those who expect to invest in both Anthropic\u2019s and OpenAI\u2019s IPOs said they do not believe Astra poses a significant threat to Anthropic, given the size of its lead in the market for enterprise AI tools and the amount of time it takes to unseat incumbent vendors to large companies.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthropic\u2019s annualized revenue run rate topped $65 billion by the end of July, up from about $9 billion at the end of 2025. It is also projecting a 2028 revenue of roughly $190 billion to $200 billion, Reuters previously reported. OpenAI\u2019s annualized revenue run rate passed $40 billion in July.<\/span><\/p>\n Investors also expect \u200bleadership among Anthropic, OpenAI, Alphabet\u2019s Google and other \u200bmajor AI developers to shift repeatedly as companies \u2060release new generations of models, making any advantage potentially short-lived.<\/span><\/p>\n A potentially bigger challenge for Anthropic and other leading AI providers is the rise of open-source and open-weight models, which can lower token costs and allow companies to build more of their own AI infrastructure rather than rely on providers such as Anthropic \u200band OpenAI, investors said.<\/span><\/p>\n The shift could put pressure on the economics of the AI industry as companies have more options to develop and run models outside \u200bthe leading commercial providers, broadening \u2060the competitive threat beyond the race between Anthropic and OpenAI.<\/span><\/p>\n Meta Platforms has been among Anthropic\u2019s largest customers, but is looking to reduce its use of Anthropic\u2019s models as it develops more AI capabilities internally, people familiar with the matter said. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/span><\/p>\n OpenAI, meanwhile, has taken some pressure off the race to public markets. Its CEO, Altman, confirmed on Saturday that the company would not go public in 2026, saying \u2060concerns around AI \u200bsafety made this an ill-advised time for a listing.<\/span><\/p>\n Anthropic could push its IPO to after the November US midterm elections, with \u200bthe elections not expected to have a major impact on the offering, according to two people familiar with the matter. The IPO has already been pushed back from earlier plans, with Reuters previously reporting that marketing was expected to begin in mid-October at the \u200bearliest.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nOPENAI\u2019S GPT-6 ASTRA GAINS ENTERPRISE TRACTION<\/span><\/h2>\n
ANTHROPIC MAINTAINS REVENUE ADVANTAGE<\/span><\/h2>\n
BIGGER CHALLENGES AHEAD<\/span><\/h2>\n