Amazon has announced a $4 billion investment in artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic, signaling the tech giant’s commitment to the rapidly growing AI market. The deal involves Anthropic using Amazon’s cloud services and custom chips for its AI software, while Amazon will incorporate Anthropic’s models and software across its business. The initial investment is set at $1.25 billion, with the potential to increase to $4 billion based on certain conditions. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that the collaboration with Anthropic will enhance customer experiences in the short and long term.
The investment in Anthropic is part of a wider trend among tech giants to embrace AI. Microsoft made a $10 billion investment in OpenAI earlier this year and formed a partnership with the startup. Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI employees, offers an AI assistant called Claude that provides humanlike responses. Amazon’s investment in Anthropic reflects its competition with Microsoft in the race to develop AI products. The deal is seen as a strategic move by Amazon to accelerate the integration of generative AI capabilities into its Amazon Web Services. This development, along with Amazon’s focus on using generative AI to make its Alexa smart-home devices more interactive, is expected to drive the company’s growth in the AI market.
The news of Amazon’s investment in Anthropic contributed to a 1.7% increase in Amazon stock. Wedbush analyst Scott Devitt believes that the deal will address investor concerns that Amazon has been less proactive than its competitors in adopting generative AI. Overall, Amazon’s investment in Anthropic demonstrates its commitment to advancing AI technology and its belief in the potential of generative AI to enhance customer experiences and drive future growth.