与OpenAI竞逐上市，报道：Anthropic聘请IPO律师，计划最早于2026年上市

Core Viewpoint - Anthropic is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) that could become one of the largest in history, competing with OpenAI for market entry, potentially as early as 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: IPO Preparation - Anthropic has hired the law firm Wilson Sonsini to assist with its IPO preparations, which marks a significant step in the company's journey towards going public [1]. - The company is currently negotiating a private funding round that could value it at over $300 billion [1]. - Discussions with major investment banks regarding the potential IPO are ongoing but remain preliminary and informal, indicating that the company has not yet selected underwriters [1][2]. Group 2: Financial and Operational Context - Anthropic's spokesperson stated that operating like a public company is standard for firms of its size and revenue, but no decisions have been made regarding the timing or certainty of the IPO [2]. - The company has been working on internal changes necessary for the IPO process, with Krishna Rao, a former Airbnb executive, serving as CFO [2]. - Both Anthropic and OpenAI are expected to pursue unprecedented valuations for tech startups during their IPOs, with OpenAI's valuation at $500 billion as of October last year [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Investors in Anthropic are enthusiastic about the IPO, believing that a first-mover advantage could allow the company to outpace larger competitor OpenAI [3]. - Anthropic recently secured a $15 billion funding commitment from Microsoft and Nvidia, contributing to an anticipated valuation between $300 billion and $350 billion [3]. - Both companies face challenges due to their rapid growth and the astronomical costs associated with training AI models, which complicate financial forecasting [3].