Anthropic Weighs New AI Model Ahead of IPO as OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra Gains Enterprise Ground

Anthropic is evaluating the release of a next-generation AI model to counter OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra, which launched September 3, 2026, and has gained traction among enterprise customers and developers, three people familiar with the matter said. The deliberations come as Anthropic prepares for an initial public offering and after CEO Dario Amodei urged the industry to slow AI development. Ramp data show GPT-6 Astra accounts for roughly 13% of enterprise AI spending tracked on its platform, versus about 8% for Anthropic's Claude Fable. OpenRouter reported that user spending on OpenAI models topped Anthropic for the first time in more than two years. Anthropic's annualized revenue run rate surpassed $65 billion as of late July, up from about $9 billion at the end of 2025, and the company projects $190 billion to $200 billion in 2028 revenue. OpenAI's run rate exceeded $40 billion in July. Anthropic may delay its IPO until after the U.S. midterm elections in November 2026.