Anthropic has overtaken OpenAI to claim the title of the world's most valuable artificial intelligence startup, according to The New York Times. The milestone marks a significant shift in the AI industry's pecking order, where OpenAI long held the top spot.
The timing is notable: according to the BBC, Anthropic is now planning to sell shares to the public in the United States as its valuation approaches $1 trillion. That figure, if reached, would place Anthropic among a rarefied group of companies in any sector, not just AI.
Both Anthropic and OpenAI are widely expected to pursue initial public offerings, according to Yahoo Finance, and investor appetite appears strong ahead of those potential listings. Some investors have already found indirect exposure — MSN reports that certain exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have acquired stakes in both companies, giving everyday investors a foothold in the AI race before any IPO.
The competition between the two companies reflects a broader battle over who will define the next era of artificial intelligence. OpenAI, backed heavily by Microsoft, built its public profile on ChatGPT. Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives including Dario and Daniela Amodei, has positioned itself around AI safety and has attracted major investment from Google and Amazon.
Why it matters: when the valuation crown shifts from one AI giant to another, it signals where the market believes the future of AI is heading — and with a $1 trillion threshold in sight, the stakes for the entire industry have never been higher.