Another AI lab falls to big tech?

Here's why Google's investment in Anthropic is significant

This week, Financial Times reported that Google is investing $300 million in San Francisco–based artificial intelligence lab Anthropic AI. Here’s why I think it’s significant:

• Anthropic is run by former OpenAI scientists who were not satisfied with the AI lab accepting investment from Microsoft

• Google has much to gain from investing in (and not acquiring) a small AI company like Anthropic

• The funding is made in Google Cloud credits and makes GCP the main provider of Anthropic

• In terms of large-scale AI research, $300 million can dry up really quickly and Anthropic will soon find itself in need of more funding

• Being locked into GCP, Anthropic will need to turn to Google again for more funding

• Down the road, Anthropic will likely need to monetize its technology to fund its research

• A la OpenAI, the AI lab will probably need the help of Google to integrate its AI into large-scale products to generate revenue

• Down the road, the partnership can evolve into an acquisition that will give Google more AI firepower to compete with other tech giants

Overall, I see the fingerprints of the Microsoft-OpenAI partnership all over the Google-Anthropic deal. How will the AI lab be able to maintain the delicate balance between pursuing scientific research and meeting the needs of its financial backers?

Read my full analysis on TechTalks.

For more on AI business:

• Microsoft moves closer to acquiring OpenAI

• Why applied artificial intelligence needs a major mind-shift

• Why Amazon Alexa (and other voice assistants) aren’t making money

• The survivors of the AI investment downturn