TLDR

  • Goldman Sachs has had Anthropic engineers on-site for six months to develop AI agents that automate accounting and compliance tasks
  • The firm intends to roll out autonomous systems powered by the Claude AI model “soon” to accelerate trade reconciliation and client onboarding
  • Anthropic is nearing a funding round of over $20 billion at a $350 billion valuation, which would nearly double its prior value
  • Key investors such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Coatue Management, and GIC are set to participate, with some investments exceeding $1 billion
  • Anthropic ran a Super Bowl commercial promising no ads in Claude, leading to a response from OpenAI’s Sam Altman defending his company’s position

Goldman Sachs is collaborating with Anthropic to create AI agents that automate critical back-office operations. This partnership illustrates how major financial institutions are shifting from basic AI trials to real-world automation.

The firm has collaborated with on-site Anthropic engineers for six months; these engineers are developing autonomous systems for accounting and compliance tasks.

Marco Argenti, Goldman Sachs’ chief information officer, stated that the agents will cut down the time required for key tasks. The systems will manage trade accounting and client vetting procedures.

The firm began testing AI coding tools last year using a product named Devin. Goldman Sachs later found that the Claude model could be applied to other domains.

“Claude is extremely proficient at coding,” Argenti told CNBC. He noted that the firm was surprised by the AI’s strong performance in tasks beyond programming.

AI Tackles Complex Financial Tasks

The AI agents will handle tasks that blend data processing with rule enforcement. Examples include compliance checks and transaction reconciliation.

Goldman Sachs executives found Claude capable of managing complex, rule-based work. The model can analyze large volumes of documents while exercising judgment.

Argenti noted that clients will be onboarded more quickly once the agents are launched. Trade issues will also be resolved faster.

The firm may extend the AI agents to additional tasks. Potential future uses could include employee monitoring and developing investment banking presentations.

Goldman Sachs employs thousands of people in compliance and accounting roles where the AI will be used. Argenti stated that it’s too early to forecast job losses.

The firm may cut back on its use of third-party vendors as the AI technology advances. For the time being, Goldman Sachs sees the technology as increasing capacity rather than replacing employees.

Anthropic Approaches Record Funding Round

Anthropic is wrapping up a funding round that exceeds $20 billion. The deal would value the company at approximately $350 billion.

The startup initially planned to raise $10 billion. Strong investor interest drove the target upward.

This funding round would nearly double Anthropic’s prior valuation. The company secured $13 billion just a few months ago.

Coatue Management, Singapore’s GIC, and Iconiq Capital will each invest more than $1 billion. Nvidia and Microsoft may contribute up to $15 billion together.

Additional investors include Altimeter Capital Management, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Menlo Ventures. The broad participation indicates ongoing investor interest in AI leaders.

Anthropic’s revenue run rate surpassed $9 billion last summer. The company’s coding tools have gained popularity among developers and large companies.

The startup recently launched a model designed to automate work tasks. The announcement sparked a selloff in software stocks as investors evaluated AI’s impact on current tools.

The funding underscores the significant cost of developing advanced AI. Companies invest heavily in chips, data centers, and specialized talent.

Super Bowl Spotlight on AI Competition

Anthropic aired a Super Bowl commercial stating that ads will not be present in Claude. The ad warned that other AI chat services may display advertisements.

Co-founder Daniela Amodei labeled ads in AI chatbots as “exploitative.” She noted that users share personal information that should not be monetized via advertising.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded on X after the commercial aired. He stated that OpenAI will not run ads in the manner Anthropic portrayed.

“Our core principle regarding ads states that we will not do exactly this,” Altman wrote. He commended the commercial’s humor but rejected its underlying message.

OpenAI is reportedly in discussions to raise up to $100 billion. Both companies have looked into potential IPO routes this year.