Anthropic, an artificial intelligence startup backed by Amazon, has announced the launch of its generative AI assistant named Claude in Europe. Available through the web and an iPhone app, Claude will offer a paid subscription-based model called Claude Pro for users who want access to all its models, including Claude 3 Opus, the most advanced offering. Additionally, Anthropic is introducing business-focused subscription plans, Claude Team, at a cost of 28 euros per month before VAT. The company emphasizes accuracy, security, and privacy in the design of its AI assistant.
As AI technology continues to advance rapidly, concerns about its impact on jobs and privacy have emerged. To address these issues, the European Union Parliament recently passed the AI Act, the first major set of regulatory rules to govern AI technology. The act aims to assess the levels of risk posed by AI and categorize them into low, medium, high, and unacceptable risks. This regulatory framework will have implications for companies like Anthropic operating in the AI space.
Anthropic’s Claude assistant is proficient in various European languages, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish, making it accessible to a wide range of users. While Claude.ai has been available for free in the U.K., this launch expands its reach to users in the EU and non-EU countries like Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. The company’s rapid growth and high valuation, with investors valuing it at $18.4 billion, have made it a prominent player in the generative AI market.
Amazon’s significant investment in Anthropic, totaling $4 billion to date, has raised concerns among regulators about the company’s independence. In the U.K., regulators are examining whether Amazon’s partnership with Anthropic, along with similar deals involving Microsoft and AI startups, could constitute mergers that lessen competition in the market. Amazon maintains that its investment is a limited corporate partnership, not a merger, while Microsoft denies that its deals with AI firms amount to merging.
The launch of Claude in Europe marks a significant expansion for Anthropic and its AI technology. By offering subscription-based models for both individual and business users, the company aims to provide advanced AI capabilities while prioritizing accuracy, security, and privacy. As regulations like the AI Act come into effect, companies in the AI sector will need to adapt to a more structured and risk-based approach to ensure compliance and ethical use of AI technology. Anthropic’s presence in the market, along with its high valuation and backing from Amazon, positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of generative AI.
