At a major AI conference, the consensus was clear: Anthropic is the new favorite in Silicon Valley

This week, the bustling city of San Francisco hosted HumanX, one of the year's most significant AI conferences, attracting thousands of attendees. A notable theme emerged: a growing preference for human interaction over AI. Inside the Moscone Center, discussions among venture capitalists and tech founders indicated a strong consensus: Anthropic has become the new darling of Silicon Valley, a striking shift from last year's conference where OpenAI dominated the conversation. "Last year in Las Vegas, it felt like OpenAI was the front-runner, but now it seems Anthropic is leaps ahead," remarked Roseanne Winsek of Renegade Partners. Anthropic, which has recently rolled out its powerful products Claude Code and Claude 4, is gaining significant traction. The company's valuation now stands at $380 billion, with reports of its run-rate revenue exceeding $30 billion—up from $9 billion at the end of 2025. Jared Quincy Davis, CEO of Mithril, praised Anthropic's strategic focus on enterprise solutions and its decision to avoid certain consumer applications. He noted, "They're crushing it," reflecting the optimism surrounding Anthropic's growth trajectory. Meanwhile, OpenAI's recent moves, including the acquisition of the internet talk show TBPN and CEO Sam Altman's partnership with the Pentagon, have led to mixed reactions in the industry, though many founders and VCs remained cautious about public criticism. Andy Chen, a former partner at Coatue and Kleiner Perkins, highlighted the growing discontent among talent at OpenAI, suggesting a potential shift of skilled professionals to Anthropic. The buzz intensified when Anthropic unveiled its latest model, Mythos, during the conference, a product deemed too potent to release to the public due to potential cybersecurity risks. HumanX doubled its attendance this year, with approximately 6,700 people eager to connect with industry leaders. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, from AI-generated networking suggestions to engaging with robots and even a designated 'HumanX Dog Park'. Amidst the excitement, many participants expressed mixed feelings about the rapid advancements in AI technology, highlighting a blend of enthusiasm and apprehension. As the AI landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the narrative surrounding key players like OpenAI and Anthropic is likely to change rapidly. Opinions among investors and founders suggest that when HumanX returns to Las Vegas next year, the competition may look entirely different, with Winsek noting, "These things change so fast; OpenAI will probably be back."