Anthropic, the AI startup behind the powerful Claude model, is set to go public with a valuation of up to $2 trillion, sparking fierce debate over whether it’s a sign of a speculative bubble or a genuine breakthrough in AI innovation.

Users are sharply divided. Some argue the valuation is justified by Anthropic’s technological innovation and future potential, while others claim it’s based on unproven profitability and unsustainable growth. A user named apfelwoiSchoppen suggested that big companies IPO to transfer debt to mutual funds and retirement funds before a crash, while dephyre called the valuation absurd, noting that the company has lost $125 billion in six years. Others, like partial_accumen, claim the S&P 500 is blocking AI companies from inclusion due to lack of profitability, while mrmacduggan warned that retirement funds holding debt will force the government to bail out AI companies.

The weight of opinion leans toward skepticism, with many viewing the IPO as a sign of a speculative bubble in the AI industry. However, there are still strong arguments for the company’s potential, highlighting the deep divide between those who see it as a risky gamble and those who believe it’s a necessary step toward the future of AI.