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Google has given Anthropic more funding than previously known, show new filings
In a surprising revelation, court documents have recently been obtained by The New York Times, revealing that Google has significantly increased its investment in Anthropic, a San Francisco-based AI startup. According to the filings, Google now owns a 14% stake in the company and is prepared to inject an additional $750 million into it through a convertible debt deal this year.
This substantial funding brings the total amount of Google’s investment in Anthropic to over $3 billion, casting doubts on the company’s supposed independence. Despite having no voting rights, board seats, or direct control over Anthropic, these financial ties raise concerns about how autonomous the startup can truly be.
As AI startups increasingly rely on funding from tech giants like Google and Amazon, regulatory bodies are scrutinizing whether these deals unfairly benefit established players in the market. However, it’s worth noting that the Justice Department under the Trump administration has been softening its stance on this issue.
Google’s investment strategy is not surprising, considering its own efforts to develop AI technology while simultaneously funding competitors like Anthropic. This approach can be seen as a hedge against potential risks and opportunities in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Meanwhile, Amazon has also committed to investing up to $8 billion in Anthropic, leading to questions about the implications of these ties for both the startup and other major players in the AI industry.
