OpenAI, Anthropic set sights on enterprise customers at Davos

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, leading artificial intelligence startups OpenAI and Anthropic are setting their sights on expanding their enterprise customer base in 2023. In exclusive discussions with CNBC, both companies' executives emphasized the importance of this sector for their future growth. OpenAI's CFO, Sarah Friar, noted that enterprise clients currently make up approximately 40% of the company's revenue, a figure she anticipates will rise to 50% by year-end. The company recently reported that over 1 million businesses across the globe are utilizing its technology. Founded as a nonprofit AI lab in 2015, OpenAI's valuation has surged to $500 billion, particularly following the success of its ChatGPT chatbot launched in 2022. "We are in a strong position today," Friar remarked. She highlighted the company’s focus on delivering value to both consumers and enterprises while addressing the need to bridge existing capability gaps. Conversely, Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, revealed that around 80% of their business is derived from enterprise clients, with only 20% from consumers. He explained that enterprises provide a more stable and predictable revenue stream, an essential factor for the company's strategy. Amodei emphasized that safety and reliability in AI systems have always been a priority for Anthropic, and collaborating with enterprises aligns well with this mission. Since its inception in 2021 by a group of former OpenAI executives, Anthropic has seen remarkable growth, ballooning its business customer base from fewer than 1,000 to over 300,000 in just two years, leading to a valuation of around $350 billion. As both companies continue to innovate, their strategies at Davos signal a pivotal shift towards securing enterprise partnerships that could redefine the landscape of AI technology.