Anthropic plans a massive IPO

Anthropic is preparing for a major initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion. The company is known for developing advanced artificial intelligence systems with a focus on safety and ethical considerations.

Recruitment questions focus on ethics

To ensure new hires align with its ethical goals, Anthropic's management asks candidates about their reaction if security decisions caused the stock value to drop to zero. This question is part of a recruitment process aimed at addressing concerns about the potential negative impacts of a massive concentration of wealth.

Candidate response highlights ethical priorities

A candidate who participated in this process testified anonymously, stating he would not be happy if the stock price dropped to zero. He emphasized a desire to combine ethics with financial profitability, reflecting the tension between profit and principle in the company's mission.

IPO raises culture concerns

Anthropic's IPO could transform a large number of its 2,500 employees into millionaires, raising concerns about the preservation of company culture. CEO Dario Amodei, whose fortune is estimated at $13.6 billion, fears that these financial incentives may undermine the company's initial mission focused on safety and the well-being of humanity.

Intense competition for talent

Anthropic faces fierce competition to attract top researchers and engineers from giants such as Meta, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. In August 2025, OpenAI announced a $1.5 million bonus for its AI specialists to retain talent, responding to Meta's signing bonuses of up to $100 million.

High salaries and costly preparation

The company offers base salaries ranging from $350,000 to $850,000 for software engineers and is currently seeking to fill more than 600 positions across various departments. Some candidates spend over $4,000 on private preparatory coaching to secure these roles, highlighting the high stakes of the recruitment process.

Founders commit to philanthropy

Dario Amodei and the six other founders of the company, including his sister Daniela Amodei, have committed to donating 80% of their personal wealth to charitable causes. However, this philanthropy is largely questioned, with Amodei criticizing the cynical attitude of some wealthy individuals in the technology industry.

Legal challenges and ethical concerns

Anthropic was founded five years ago by Dario Amodei, his sister Daniela Amodei, and five other individuals. On October 26, 2026, the company disclosed its IPO plans to regulatory authorities. The holders of the rights to Elvis Presley's music sued Anthropic, accusing it of using hundreds of the rock star's songs to train its chatbot Claude.

Uncertainties in IPO filing

Anthropic's IPO filing does not provide a clear answer to the question of profitability but outlines several financial and operational uncertainties. It dedicates several pages to potential obstacles, particularly to the existential risks associated with the technology it develops, including risks of manipulation, coercion, and blackmail by AI.