Anthropic, a pioneering artificial intelligence startup with backing from Amazon, has announced the launch of its generative AI assistant, Claude, in Europe. Scheduled for release on Tuesday, Claude will be accessible to both individuals and businesses through web platforms and an iPhone application.
For users seeking comprehensive access to Anthropic’s advanced models, including Claude 3 Opus, the company offers a subscription-based version of its assistant, Claude Pro. Additionally, Anthropic introduces Claude Team subscription plans tailored for business use, priced at 28 euros ($30) per month before value-added tax (VAT).
Dario Amodei, CEO and Co-founder of Anthropic released a statement on Tuesday emphasizing the company’s dedication to precision, security, and privacy. This commitment is particularly significant amid growing concerns about the implications of AI advancements on employment and data privacy.
In response to these concerns, the European Union Parliament recently enacted the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for AI. The AI Act aims to categorize AI risks into levels such as low, medium, high, and unacceptable and apply appropriate regulations accordingly.
Anthropic highlights Claude’s proficiency in multiple European languages, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish, catering to a diverse user base across the continent. While Claude.ai has been accessible for free in the United Kingdom, its expansion into the EU and non-EU nations such as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland marks a significant milestone for the product.
Notably, Anthropic has emerged as a prominent player in the generative AI landscape, commanding attention and substantial investments. The firm’s valuation soared to $18.4 billion in March, buoyed by Amazon’s $2.75 billion investment, bringing the tech giant’s total investment in Anthropic to $4 billion.
However, Amazon’s significant stake in Anthropic has raised regulatory concerns regarding potential impacts on the company’s autonomy. Regulators in the United Kingdom are scrutinizing whether Amazon’s investment, along with similar moves by Microsoft in other AI startups, could result in anti-competitive consolidation.
Amazon asserts that its collaboration with Anthropic constitutes a strategic investment rather than a merger, while Microsoft denies that its engagements with AI firms like OpenAI and Mistral represent mergers. These assertions reflect ongoing debates surrounding the convergence of tech giants and emerging AI enterprises.
