Anthropic, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) company, is currently in discussions to secure a substantial $750 million in new investments, primarily led by Menlo Ventures. This move is anticipated to elevate Anthropic’s valuation to approximately $18 billion once the funding round concludes. However, it’s important to note that the reported valuation of $18.4 billion is pre-round, dispelling previous rumors that suggested a target valuation ranging between $20-30 billion. Specific details regarding additional investors participating in this fundraising effort remain undisclosed.
Anthropic garners attention following Claude 2 launch
Anthropic has garnered significant attention in the AI landscape, especially with the public release of its Claude 2 AI chatbot in July, following an initial launch in March. The company’s profile received a considerable boost with a $4 billion investment from Amazon in September, followed by an additional substantial $2 billion investment from Google. Notably, the platform significantly increased its contribution, considering it had previously invested $400 million in Anthropic back in February.
Menlo Ventures, headquartered in Menlo Park, had initially invested in Anthropic in May, further solidifying the company’s financial backing. What sets the platform apart is its explicit focus on safety research within the realm of generative AI. The company’s mission is to foster a competitive environment that prioritizes the creation of secure, interpretable, and controllable AI systems. Investors from Menlo Ventures, including Andreas Vandris, Derek Xiao, and partner Matt Murphy, emphasized Anthropic’s pivotal role at the forefront of innovations in generative AI.
The landscape of responsible AI development has been a prevailing theme, especially in the aftermath of OpenAI’s GPT-4 launch. In July, major players in the tech industry, including Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, came together to establish the Frontier Model Forum. This collaborative effort aims to underscore the importance of safe and responsible development practices for “frontier AI models.” Earlier in the year, Anthropic collaborated with OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, pledging to actively work towards the safe development of AI.
This commitment was solidified after engaging in discussions with the Biden Administration. Additionally, in October, Anthropic entered into a partnership with the Collective Intelligence Project, aiming to democratize the development of artificial intelligence. The co-founder of the Collective Intelligence Project, Divya Siddarth, stressed the transformative impact of AI on the world, highlighting the imperative to involve diverse voices in shaping its future.
While both Google and Amazon continue to invest significantly in Anthropic, it’s worth noting that Microsoft maintains a steadfast commitment to its enduring and lucrative partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. Sam Altman, reinstated as CEO after a brief removal in November, played a pivotal role in Microsoft’s commitment. The company has invested over $10 billion in OpenAI, and as part of Sam Altman’s return, Microsoft joined OpenAI’s board in a non-voting capacity.
Anthropic’s current efforts to secure $750 million in new investments underscore the sustained interest in the company, with Menlo Ventures leading the investment round. The company’s focus on safety and responsible AI development aligns with broader industry initiatives, such as the Frontier Model Forum and collaborations with major industry players. These partnerships and investments emphasize the transformative potential of AI, signaling a trajectory that will undoubtedly shape the industry in the years to come.
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