While ChatGPT boasts an astounding 900 million weekly users, Anthropic and its AI assistant, Claude, are rapidly gaining traction, even if less recognized by the general public. Guillaume Princen, Anthropic’s European Operations Director, recently shared extraordinary financial data and company principles during an appearance on the Comptoir IA podcast, drawing significant attention.
Claude Code: One of Tech’s Most Profitable Products?
One of the most striking revelations concerns Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI-powered development tool. Launched less than a year ago, initially for internal use, this product generated a staggering $1 billion in revenue within its first six months. Today, a year post-launch, its revenue stands at an impressive $2.5 billion – a feat that even garnered admiration from Google.
Revenue Multiplied Tenfold Annually
For Anthropic as a whole, the Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is projected to reach $19 billion by March 2026, a substantial leap from $9 billion at the end of 2025. This trajectory indicates a remarkable tenfold increase in revenue year-over-year since the company’s inception.
Princen also revealed a symbolic achievement: 90% of Anthropic’s current code is generated by Claude Code. Furthermore, Claude Code itself was written by Claude Code, illustrating a powerful self-improving AI loop. This demonstrates the deep integration of AI into technological production processes without rendering human developers obsolete.
No Advertising, No Military Deals: Rare Positions in Tech
Beyond the impressive financials, Guillaume Princen underscored two key principles that distinctly differentiate Anthropic from its competitors.
As previously announced in February, Claude will never feature integrated advertising. Princen cited ethical reasons, emphasizing that AI conversations are often too intimate and personal to be influenced by commercial interests.
The second principle concerns the Pentagon: Anthropic has refused to sign an agreement for the use of its models in mass surveillance or autonomous weapons systems, a stance that contrasts with some rivals like OpenAI.
Finally, Anthropic is committed to strengthening its local presence in Europe, establishing four offices in London, Paris, Munich, and Dublin. These hubs host teams dedicated to research, engineering, and business development. Princen advocates for Europe to be “front row” in leveraging this technological revolution and fostering its own AI champions.