Claude Hits $1M Milestone but Faces Stiff Competition

Claude, Anthropic’s AI app, just hit a milestone, crossing $1 million in mobile app revenue across iOS and Android in just 16 weeks. Not too shabby, right? But before we start popping the champagne, it’s worth noting that Claude is still miles behind its top rival, ChatGPT. For context, ChatGPT hit the same milestone in just three weeks and is currently dominating the charts, sitting pretty at No. 1 in overall downloads and No. 26 by revenue in the U.S. on iOS. Claude, on the other hand, is hanging out at No. 95 in the Productivity category by downloads and No. 68 by revenue. Still, Claude managed to outpace other AI players like Microsoft’s Copilot and Perplexity, which took even longer to reach their first million.

Claude’s growth has been powered by a strong U.S. user base, which accounts for nearly half of its revenue and over 30% of its downloads. Other key markets like India, Japan, the U.K., and Germany are also showing some love. But the road ahead is looking bumpy. With Apple Intelligence set to roll out soon, giving Siri users direct access to ChatGPT, Claude might find itself in an even tighter spot. Plus, its pivot from a subscription model to ad-based revenue could be a double-edged sword—sure, it brings in more money, but it might also turn off users who aren’t fans of ads.

As Claude navigates these challenges, one thing’s for sure: the AI-powered search engine game is heating up. Claude’s got some serious momentum, but whether it can keep up with the big dogs like ChatGPT remains to be seen. The app’s ability to adapt and stay relevant in this fast-evolving landscape will be key to its long-term success.

OpenAI Teams Up with Condé Nast for AI-Powered Content

OpenAI just scored a major win, inking a deal with Condé Nast—the powerhouse publisher behind The New Yorker, Vogue, and Wired. The multi-year partnership means these iconic outlets will now be part of ChatGPT’s content lineup, with their stories popping up in both ChatGPT and OpenAI’s search prototype, SearchGPT.

While the exact terms are under wraps, Condé Nast’s CEO Roger Lynch hinted at some serious cash flow from OpenAI’s end, because top-tier content doesn’t come for free. Plus, OpenAI gets the green light to train its AI on Condé Nast’s treasure trove of content, ensuring your AI-powered fashion tips and literary hot takes are straight from the source.

But Condé Nast isn’t the only media giant jumping into the AI game. OpenAI has already bagged deals with the Associated Press, The Atlantic, Financial Times, and more. Yet, not everyone in the newsroom is popping champagne—many reporters and editors were left out of the loop, sparking some well-earned grumbles. Still, this partnership marks a seismic shift in how traditional media is teaming up with AI, paving the way for the future of news consumption.

As these high-profile collabs roll out, expect some heated debates about the ethics of AI and journalism. But one thing’s clear: the AI-media fusion is charging full steam ahead, with OpenAI leading the pack and a fleet of top publishers riding shotgun.

AI Apps to Watch: New Stars Rising

Looking to up your app game with some AI magic? Andreessen Horowitz just released its latest Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps list, spotlighting everything from creative tools to AI-powered dating. No surprise—OpenAI's ChatGPT still reigns supreme, topping both the web and mobile rankings for the third time in a row. But don’t count out the competition—Perplexity and Claude have climbed into the top five for web products, proving the AI landscape is far from settled.

Newcomers are also making a splash, especially in the creative space. Of the 12 new entries, 58% are focused on content creation, like Luma, which crafts ultra-realistic 3D images, and Viggle, an AI-powered animation tool. The music scene is also getting in on the action—Suno, a text-prompt music generator, jumped from 36th to 5th place in web products, while Udio, another music-making app, debuted at 33rd.

But it’s not just about creativity—AI’s dipping its toes into the dating pool, too. RIZZ, an AI-powered dating app, made its first appearance on the mobile list at 49th, alongside aesthetics apps like LooksMax AI and Umax. These apps show there’s more to AI than just chatbots and productivity—there’s a whole world of creativity and connection waiting to be explored.

Whether you’re looking to create, date, or just see what the AI hype is all about, this latest crop of apps has something for everyone. Check out Andreessen Horowitz’s full list to see who’s leading the charge in the AI world.

Anthropic Cautiously Backs California AI Bill

Anthropic, the AI company with a focus on safety, is cautiously backing California’s controversial SB 1047, a bill aimed at regulating AI in the state. In a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, expressed measured support, stating the bill's "benefits likely outweigh the costs," but he wasn’t shy about noting lingering concerns. This tentative endorsement comes just a month after Anthropic suggested amendments to the bill, advocating for a focus on deterring companies from building unsafe models rather than imposing strict regulations before any AI-induced mayhem occurs.

Key Highlights:

• Targeted Penalties: The revised bill now narrows the scope of penalties, focusing more on violations that present actual harm or imminent risk.

• Refined Standards: Companies are now expected to show "reasonable care" instead of "reasonable assurance," bringing the bill in line with common tort liability practices.

• Slimmed-Down Oversight: A previously proposed new agency has been scaled back to a nine-member Board of Frontier Models, under the existing Government Operations Agency.

• Transparency Boost: Companies will still need to publish safety reports and provide unredacted versions to the attorney general, ensuring a high level of accountability.

While Anthropic is cautiously optimistic about the bill, other AI heavyweights are less enthusiastic. OpenAI, for instance, sent a letter to California leaders this week, expressing concerns that the new regulations could drive AI innovation out of the state. Meta also voiced worries, arguing that the bill could stifle the release of open-source AI. As the debate over AI regulation heats up, it’s clear that the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring safety will be crucial in shaping the future of AI in California and beyond.