Vibe check from inside one of AI industry's main events: 'Claude mania'

During the HumanX conference in San Francisco, which attracted 6,500 leaders from the AI sector, it became evident that the spotlight has shifted from OpenAI to Anthropic. The latter's innovative coding tool, Claude Code, has captured the attention of attendees, demonstrating a growing trend in the industry. Despite facing legal challenges, including a contentious relationship with the Pentagon, Anthropic is thriving. The Department of Defense may have blacklisted Claude, but recent court rulings have allowed Anthropic to continue collaborations with other federal agencies. This resilience has positioned the startup favorably within the enterprise sector, especially as demand for AI coding solutions surges. Anthropic, established in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, is now valued at $380 billion, making it one of the top private firms globally. Since its public launch in May 2025, Claude Code has reportedly generated over $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Arvind Jain, CEO of Glean, remarked on the phenomenon dubbed "Claude Mania," emphasizing the pressure on businesses to adopt this tool. He noted, "If you ask anyone which AI tool they desire, the answer is Claude." The conference buzzed with excitement following Anthropic's announcement of their latest model, Claude Mythos Preview, which boasts enhanced cybersecurity features. Although initially available to a select group of around 50 companies, its potential impact has sparked significant interest. Victor Riparbelli, CEO of Synthesia, praised Anthropic for its focused approach, highlighting the challenge faced by other companies like OpenAI, which juggle multiple products. He stated, "Anthropic has narrowed its focus to code generation, whereas OpenAI has had to market various offerings, complicating consumer perception." While some industry leaders express concern over the volatility of AI trends, many are adapting to the rapid evolution of technology. Ashwin Sreenivas from Decagon described how coding agents have restructured their hiring practices and team dynamics, allowing projects to be completed more efficiently. Navrina Singh, CEO of Credo AI, expressed mixed feelings about the surge of new AI tools, noting the importance of maintaining clear communication with customers amid the chaos. She reflected on how tasks that once required significant manpower can now be executed quickly, yet the unpredictability of roadmaps poses a challenge. Tech giants are also navigating these changes. Cisco’s Jeetu Patel revealed that a significant portion of their engineering staff is now utilizing AI, but emphasized the necessity of prioritizing adoption over immediate results. He urged companies to view AI as digital collaborators rather than mere tools, hinting at a future where team composition could dramatically shift. Despite these developments, executives at HumanX are also wary of external geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding Chinese AI models that dominate the market. With American firms increasingly adopting these models, there is a pressing need to enhance domestic innovation in AI to remain competitive. Jain from Glean highlighted the importance of diversifying AI partnerships, noting that companies prefer not to rely on a single provider to mitigate risk and foster innovation. The conversation at HumanX clearly underscores a pivotal moment for the industry as it grapples with both opportunities and challenges in the evolving AI landscape.