OpenAI Nears Acquisition of Anthropic Based on Ramp’s Business Spending Insights – Unite.AI

OpenAI Surges Ahead of Anthropic in Corporate AI Spending: Key Insights

OpenAI is showing significant growth compared to Anthropic among U.S. businesses for the current quarter, as revealed by new spending data from Ramp. This marks a noticeable shift since Anthropic previously led in corporate AI expenditures three months ago.

Exclusive Insights from the Ramp AI Index

The data comes from the Ramp AI Index, a comprehensive monthly report that tracks AI adoption and spending across over 70,000 American businesses utilizing Ramp’s corporate card and bill payment platform. Because the index relies on actual transaction data—rather than survey responses—it offers a rare glimpse into the performance of these private AI labs within the enterprise sector.

Recent Trends in AI Subscriptions

The latest complete set of figures, covering July 2026 and released on August 12, 2026, shows Anthropic at 43.5% of U.S. businesses subscribing to its services, an increase of 1.1 percentage points since last month. OpenAI follows closely behind at 39.7%, with a more modest rise of 0.23 points. This marks a significant lead for Anthropic, which had been expanding its dominance through July 2026.

OpenAI’s Rapid Growth in Q3

However, Kharazian notes a shift in momentum for Q3, with OpenAI outpacing Anthropic among Ramp’s business users. He attributes this to OpenAI’s newly released flagship model, stating, “GPT-5.6 Sol is proving to be a favorite among developers.” In contrast, he mentions that Anthropic’s Fable 5 model has not met expectations in terms of adoption, influenced by pricing and stringent data retention regulations.

Performance Insights from July’s Data

The August update from Ramp sheds light on these dynamics. Fable 5, launched in July 2026, accounted for just 6% of token purchases by businesses and 11.4% of total spending on Anthropic models—despite being the most expensive option at approximately $10 per million tokens. In comparison, OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 Sol commanded a more substantial 25% share of its token sales and 23% of overall spending at half the cost. Fable 5’s spending was about 75% that of GPT-5.6 Sol in its first month, highlighting its slower market uptake.

A Thriving Market Landscape

The competition is intensifying within a growing market. The Ramp AI Index indicates that overall AI adoption among businesses has reached 55.7%, a rise from just over 50% in March 2026, with spending per customer increasing across all tiers. In July, the average AI-spending business allocated $11.95 per employee monthly, while the top 10% spent $650 and the most elite 1% spent a median of $7,400. AI expenditures on Ramp’s platform have quadrupled over the past year.

Emerging Trends in AI Spending

An additional trend to watch is the growing preference for open-source models. In July, 6.1% of AI-spending businesses utilized model-serving platforms, up from 4.5% in January 2026. Kharazian points out that while first-time AI users predominantly favor American labs, established businesses are increasingly exploring open-source alternatives.

Understanding Ramp’s Data Limitations

It’s crucial to note the limitations of the Ramp AI Index. The sample leans towards the tech industry, reflecting Ramp’s customer demographics, and excludes larger companies that utilize other expense management services. The index only accounts for paid transactions, meaning organizations using free AI tiers are not represented, suggesting actual adoption rates may be higher. Ramp provides percentage data rather than dollar amounts, and the model-level statistics come from a select group of customers engaged with its token spending management product, which likely skews towards the tech sector.

Looking Ahead: Q3 Growth Insights

As we approach the end of the quarter, the growth figures offer a snapshot rather than a concluding judgment. The upcoming Ramp AI Index update, covering August 2026 spending, will reveal whether OpenAI can reclaim its position after losing ground in the spring.

Certainly! Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) with answers based on the article "OpenAI Closes on Anthropic in Ramp’s Business Spending Data" from Unite.AI:

1. What is the significance of OpenAI’s recent funding round?

OpenAI has successfully closed a $110 billion funding round, achieving a pre-money valuation of $730 billion. This substantial investment underscores the company’s rapid growth and the increasing demand for its AI technologies. (unite.ai)

2. How does OpenAI’s valuation compare to Anthropic’s?

As of April 2026, Anthropic is considering a $50 billion raise at a valuation between $850 billion and $900 billion. This valuation would more than double Anthropic’s worth in less than three months, positioning it on par with OpenAI as one of the world’s most valuable AI startups. (unite.ai)

3. What role does Ramp play in this context?

Ramp, a New York-based fintech company, has raised a $750 million Series F funding round at a $44 billion valuation. Ramp is expanding its services to include AI-powered finance operations, offering tools that provide businesses with visibility into their AI usage and spending. (unite.ai)

4. How does Ramp’s platform assist businesses in managing AI expenditures?

Ramp’s platform introduces tools that pull token-level usage data from AI providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, and OpenRouter. This allows finance teams to monitor AI usage by provider, model, API key, and team, helping businesses manage and optimize their AI-related expenses. (unite.ai)

5. What does the competition between OpenAI and Anthropic signify for the AI industry?

The competition between OpenAI and Anthropic highlights the rapid advancements and investments in the AI sector. Both companies are striving to secure enterprise customers and funding, indicating a dynamic and competitive landscape as they race to lead in AI technologies and applications. (unite.ai)

These developments reflect the evolving nature of the AI industry, with significant investments and strategic moves shaping the future of AI technologies and their applications in various sectors.

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Uber Limits Employee AI Spending After Rapidly Exceeding Budget in Just Four Months

Uber Sets AI Spending Caps Amid Rising Costs

As AI technology becomes increasingly costly, many companies, including Uber, are reevaluating their usage to manage expenses. This move aims to curb the substantial financial burden associated with AI tools.

Internal Usage Caps Introduced by Uber

According to a report from Bloomberg, Uber has implemented a monthly usage cap of $1,500 for each employee utilizing agentic coding tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code and Cursor. Employees can monitor their usage via an internal dashboard, with options to exceed the limits in certain scenarios, pending permission from management.

Exceeding Budgets: A Precedent for AI Spending

This development follows a significant revelation from Uber’s CTO in April, who disclosed that the company had exhausted its entire annual AI budget within just four months. This rapid expenditure was partly driven by an internal culture encouraging extensive AI use, where employees were even ranked on leaderboards for their usage rates, as previously reported by The Information.

Questioning AI’s Impact on Productivity

Uber’s COO, Andrew Macdonald, has raised concerns about the tangible productivity benefits of AI. During a recent podcast, he expressed doubts about establishing a direct link between AI deployment and new consumer features, emphasizing the complexity of evaluating AI’s true value.

The Broader Concern: Evaluating AI ROI

Uber’s decision to rein in spending highlights a critical issue facing the tech sector today: the elusive return on investment from AI initiatives. Despite significant financial commitments, many enterprises are questioning the actual benefits of AI, with many feeling restless as they await promised returns.

Sure! Here are five FAQs about Uber’s use of employee AI spending after exceeding their budget in four months:

FAQ 1: Why did Uber exceed its budget for employee AI spending in just four months?

Answer: Uber exceeded its budget due to rapid advancements in AI technology, which led to increased demand for resources. Unexpected project expansions and the need for additional tools and software also contributed to the overspending.

FAQ 2: What steps is Uber taking to manage AI expenses moving forward?

Answer: To manage expenses, Uber is implementing stricter budget controls, enhancing oversight on AI projects, and prioritizing initiatives that yield the highest returns. They are also exploring cost-effective solutions and negotiating better terms with vendors.

FAQ 3: Will this budget overrun impact employee projects or layoffs?

Answer: While the budget overrun may lead to a reevaluation of certain projects, Uber is committed to supporting its workforce and does not plan for layoffs solely based on this financial situation. Employees will be encouraged to innovate within revised budget constraints.

FAQ 4: How does this situation affect Uber’s commitment to AI development?

Answer: Uber remains committed to AI development but will focus on sustainable growth. The company will continue investing in AI projects that align with strategic goals while ensuring financial discipline to prevent future budget overruns.

FAQ 5: What lessons is Uber learning from this experience about budget management?

Answer: Uber is learning the importance of rigorous forecasting and regular budget reviews. The company is also prioritizing agile methodologies to adapt quickly to changes in project scope and technology needs, ensuring better alignment between spending and strategic priorities.

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Black Friday Achieves Record Online Spending of $11.8 Billion, According to Adobe

<div>
    <h2>Black Friday Breaks Records with $11.8 Billion in Online Sales</h2>

    <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">American consumers spent a staggering $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, setting a new record according to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://business.adobe.com/resources/holiday-shopping-report.html">Adobe Analytics</a>, which monitors over 1 trillion visits to U.S. retail websites.</p>

    <h3>A New Milestone in E-Commerce Spending</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This figure surpasses last year's $10.8 billion, showcasing significant growth. Between 10 AM and 2 PM, shoppers were reportedly spending $12.5 million every minute. As <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2025/11/29/black-friday-data-shows-online-sales-strong-store-results-mixed/">Forbes</a> notes, Adobe stated that these numbers demonstrate Black Friday’s rise as a crucial e-commerce event, as many consumers choose to shop from the comfort of their homes.</p>

    <h3>Cyber Monday Expected to Surpass Black Friday Sales</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking ahead, Adobe forecasts that Cyber Monday on December 1 will see even greater online spending, estimating $14.2 billion, according to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/us-consumers-spent-118-billion-black-friday-says-adobe-analytics-2025-11-29/">Reuters</a>.</p>

    <h3>Insight into Holiday Shopping Trends</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Data from industry leaders like Adobe and Salesforce provides early insights into holiday shopping trends. Adobe anticipates total holiday spending to reach $253.4 billion this year, up from $241.1 billion in 2024.</p>

    <h3>Salesforce Discusses Global Spending and Price Influences</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Salesforce reported a total of $79 billion in global Black Friday spending, with $18 billion stemming from the U.S., reflecting year-over-year increases of 6% and 3%, respectively. However, this growth may be more indicative of rising prices, as Salesforce notes an average price increase of 7%, contrasted with a 1% decline in order volumes.</p>

    <h3>The Role of AI in Holiday Shopping</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Both Adobe and Salesforce cite the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on holiday shopping. For instance, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://x.com/salesforce/status/1994825232008298633">Salesforce notes</a> that AI and AI-driven agents influenced $22 billion in global sales during the period from Thanksgiving to Black Friday, although the extent of this influence is still being defined.</p>

    <h3>In-Person Shopping Trends Remain Uncertain</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The comparison between online shopping and in-store sales presents mixed data. According to RetailNext, in-store traffic has declined by 3.4% nationwide, while Pass_by reports an overall increase of 1.17% in foot traffic, with department stores experiencing an impressive 7.9% growth.</p>

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FAQs on Black Friday Online Spending Record

  1. What was the total online spending for Black Friday this year?

    • This year, Black Friday online spending reached a record high of $11.8 billion, according to Adobe Analytics.

  2. How does this year’s spending compare to previous years?

    • The $11.8 billion in spending marks an increase compared to previous years, showcasing a trend of growing consumer confidence and a shift towards online shopping.

  3. What items were the most popular during Black Friday?

    • Top-selling categories included electronics, apparel, and home goods, with consumers particularly favoring deals on items like TVs, laptops, and kitchen appliances.

  4. What factors contributed to the increased spending this Black Friday?

    • Contributing factors include early promotional sales prior to Black Friday, an increase in the number of retail websites offering discounts, and a surge in consumer demand for online shopping due to the convenience it offers.
  5. How did Black Friday spending impact retailers?
    • Retailers experienced significant boosts in sales, which not only increased their revenue but also demonstrated the effectiveness of digital marketing strategies and online presence in reaching consumers.

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