Anthropic Files for Potentially the Biggest IPO Ever as CEO Warns of Risk to Humanity From AI
Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic has filed for an initial public offering that could raise up to $100 billion, potentially becoming the largest IPO in history, even as its CEO warns of existential risks from advanced AI.
The San Francisco-based company submitted its 335-page filing on Monday, setting up a potential Wall Street debut next month that could surpass SpaceX's record $86 billion IPO in June. Anthropic's offering would also mark the AI lab going public ahead of its rival OpenAI, with both companies expected to have blockbuster stock debuts.
The IPO could provide Anthropic with substantial resources to accelerate its expansion. While the exact amount the company will raise remains uncertain, even conservative estimates would transform the five-year-old startup into one of the world's most valuable companies, potentially boosting the wealth of CEO Dario Amodei and his sister Daniela by billions of dollars.
Rapid growth amid losses
The company's financials show rapid revenue growth, reaching more than $16 billion in the first half of 2026—14 times its revenue from the same period last year. However, like many tech companies going public, Anthropic has yet to turn a profit, reporting a net loss of $80.7 billion in the first half of 2026, though this included a one-time $72.4 billion accounting adjustment.
Despite the losses, Anthropic is reportedly set to see its valuation rise to $1.5 trillion or possibly $2 trillion, placing it among the world's most valuable public companies alongside Tesla. At $1.5 trillion, the company would rank among the most valuable public companies globally.
AI safety concerns
Reflecting AI's potential dangers, the filing includes unusual provisions granting founders 50.1% of shareholder votes through a special class of shares. Anthropic has also established a Long-Term Benefit Trust with independent members to ensure the company doesn't prioritize financial interests over public safety.
The possibility that its AI models could go rogue and 'pose catastrophic or existential risks to humanity.'
In September, CEO Dario Amodei called for the AI industry to slow its development to allow safety measures to catch up, warning that without such a slowdown, AI could potentially unleash agents capable of taking over the entire internet within six to 12 months.
Government disputes
Anthropic has positioned itself as the 'good guys' in AI development, focusing on safety rather than growth at all costs. This stance led to a public dispute with the U.S. government, which designated the company a supply chain risk in February, accusing it of endangering national security.
The company sued the Pentagon over the designation, calling it an 'unlawful campaign of retaliation' for refusing unrestricted military use of its technology. The legal battle intensified debates over AI use in warfare and surveillance, with OpenAI subsequently striking a deal to work with the Pentagon after Anthropic's punishment.
A California judge ruled in Anthropic's favor in one case, while a Washington, D.C. judge sided with the government in another. Both sides are appealing the decisions as Anthropic prepares for its potentially historic IPO.
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