Following the recent announcement by OpenAI of the latest version of its GPT large language model, Anthropic, a leading competitor in the generative AI space in the U.S., has announced a significant expansion. On Monday, Anthropic revealed that its AI assistant, Claude, is now available in Europe, supporting multiple languages such as French, German, Italian, and Spanish. This multilingual support is accessible across Claude.ai, its iOS app, and its business plan for teams.
The European launch follows the recent extension of Anthropic’s API to Europe, enabling developers to utilize and integrate its models. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to accelerate the startup’s growth. To date, Anthropic has raised nearly $8 billion, reaching a post-money valuation of $18.4 billion. Notably, over $7 billion of this amount was raised in the past year alone.
Ongoing Fundraising Efforts
In an interview, co-founder and president Daniela Amodei confirmed that Anthropic is currently in the process of securing additional primary capital. While she acknowledged the fundraising efforts, she refrained from providing further details.
Anthropic’s impressive roster of nearly 60 investors includes major strategic partners such as Amazon, Google, Salesforce, SAP, and Zoom. Additionally, Alameda and FTX have recently announced plans to sell their shares, valued at $884 million, as part of a secondary transaction related to a bankruptcy proceeding.
Anthropic is not alone in attracting significant investor interest in the AI sector. Mistral AI, another player in the large language model (LLM) space, is reportedly in discussions with investors to raise approximately $600 million at a $6 billion valuation. SoftBank, notably absent from investments in both companies, remains a potential future backer.
Market Reception and Challenges
Despite the enthusiasm from investors, consumer reception has been mixed. Anthropic’s iOS app, launched in early May, has received a lukewarm response from users. This raises questions about whether the current interest in AI is sustainable or merely a passing trend, posing a potential challenge as Anthropic seeks to expand its business in Europe.
Amodei suggests that comparing the iOS launch of Anthropic to that of OpenAI is not entirely fair, given Anthropic’s primary focus on enterprise applications. She emphasizes the company’s goal to provide a seamless experience that allows users to switch between personal and work accounts across different devices and platforms, similar to how employees use Slack.
While Amodei did not disclose specific figures regarding API adoption in Europe, she noted that the company is experiencing significant growth in key markets like France and Germany. However, expanding in Europe also means navigating a complex regulatory environment, especially with the recent AI Act emphasizing AI safety and regulation.
Amodei expressed confidence in Anthropic’s ability to operate within these regulatory frameworks, highlighting the company’s commitment to AI safety and compliance with regulations such as GDPR. She acknowledged that the implementation details of the AI Act are still being developed, and Anthropic plans to engage with the EU throughout this process.
Commitment to AI Safety and Research
Anthropic continues to lead in AI safety research, including banning the use of its technology for political campaigns and lobbying, with systems in place to detect related violations. A significant breakthrough in 2023 in the field of mechanistic interpretability, particularly in “dictionary learning,” has provided insights into the inner workings of AI models, paving the way for developing methods to steer models toward safer behaviors.
Currently, Anthropic has 40 employees based in its London office and several contractors across Europe. The company is preparing to expand further by establishing a new office in Dublin, indicating its ongoing commitment to growth and presence in the European market.
See also: OpenAI Startup Fund Secures An Additional $5 Million
