Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Anthropic Weighs New AI Model as OpenAI Gains Momentum
Anthropic is thinking about releasing a new AI model.
It wants to compete with OpenAI, whose GPT-6 Astra has become popular with businesses.
Anthropic’s leader, Dario Amodei, recently said AI companies should slow down because advanced AI could create safety problems.
That makes the possible new release seem complicated.
Anthropic must decide how quickly to compete while still testing its model carefully.
It also needs to spend money wisely as investors increasingly want companies to become profitable.
Anthropic still has higher reported annualized revenue than OpenAI.
However, open-source AI models and companies building their own systems could create a larger challenge.
Anthropic has not commented on the report.
Anthropic is considering a new AI model to respond to OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra, according to three sources.
The discussions include evaluating the next model’s safety and balancing model investment with profitability ahead of an expected IPO.
OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra on September 3, reporting improvements in computer use, software engineering, cybersecurity and professional work.
Ramp data showed Astra represented about 13% of tracked enterprise AI spending, compared with about 8% for Anthropic’s Claude Fable.
Anthropic’s annualized revenue run rate exceeded $65 billion by late July, while OpenAI’s surpassed $40 billion that month.
- Who
- Anthropic, led by CEO Dario Amodei, and rival OpenAI are at the center of the report.
- What
- Anthropic is considering launching a new AI model to respond to OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra and competitive pressure.
- When
- The deliberations follow OpenAI’s September 3 release of GPT-6 Astra and Amodei’s September 12 essay; the potential timing of a launch was not specified.
- Where
- The developments concern the global AI market, including enterprise users and developer platforms.
- Why
- Anthropic is weighing competition, AI safety, profitability, investor expectations and the possibility of an IPO.
Safety and caution
Competitive urgency
Releasing new capabilities
Safety and caution
Dario Amodei has called for the AI industry to slow the pace of improving model capabilities because of safety concerns.
Competitive urgency
OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra has gained traction among businesses, creating pressure for Anthropic to defend its enterprise position.
Investment and profitability
Safety and caution
Anthropic is considering how to evaluate safety and strengthen profitability before committing to a release.
Competitive urgency
Investors are increasingly focused on sustainable cash flow and the timing of profits, increasing pressure to invest in competitive models.
Long-term market threat
Safety and caution
Open-source and open-weight models could allow companies to build more of their own AI infrastructure and reduce reliance on commercial providers.
Competitive urgency
Commercial providers argue indirectly through market competition that continued model improvements are important as companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google compete for enterprise customers.
- Potential action
- Anthropic is considering releasing a new AI model.
- Rival model
- OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra on September 3.
- Enterprise spending
- Ramp tracked approximately 13% of enterprise AI spending for Astra and 8% for Anthropic’s Claude Fable.
- Anthropic revenue
- Anthropic’s annualized revenue run rate exceeded $65 billion by the end of July.
- OpenAI revenue
- OpenAI’s annualized revenue run rate exceeded $40 billion in July.
- Projected revenue
- Anthropic is projecting roughly $190 billion to $200 billion in 2028 revenue, according to Reuters’ prior reporting.
- IPO status
- Anthropic’s IPO timing remains under discussion; OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said OpenAI would not go public in 2026.