📊 Full opportunity report: The Forward-Deploy Pivot: Why Anthropic and OpenAI Are Becoming Consulting Firms in the Same Week on ThorstenMeyerAI.com — validation score, market gap, and execution plan.

Anthropic and OpenAI have each announced the creation of new enterprise services entities designed to embed AI engineers directly into mid-sized companies, marking a significant shift in how AI companies are positioning themselves in the market. This move aims to challenge the traditional consulting industry by providing AI-native solutions that deliver outcomes rather than just software or advice. The announcements come amid a broader strategic effort by both firms to accelerate enterprise adoption and prepare for potential public listings later in 2026.

On May 4, Anthropic revealed plans to form a $1.5 billion AI-native enterprise services company, backed by major asset managers including Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Goldman Sachs. The firm will embed Anthropic’s Applied AI engineers into mid-sized companies across sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services, following a Palantir-like forward-deploy engineering model. This initiative aims to capture a share of the $1.4 trillion annual global IT services market, particularly targeting the mid-market segment too small for the Big 4 consulting firms but too sophisticated for self-service solutions.

Two days later, on May 6, OpenAI announced a similar venture called ‘DeployCo,’ backed by TPG, Bain Capital, Advent International, and others, with a $10 billion valuation—significantly larger than Anthropic’s initial valuation. DeployCo aims to deploy AI solutions at scale, focusing on enterprise outcomes and positioning itself as a direct competitor to traditional consulting firms. Both announcements form part of a larger narrative suggesting that these AI companies are positioning themselves as strategic partners capable of delivering outcomes, not just technology or advice.

Disruption of the Traditional Consulting Industry

This strategic pivot by Anthropic and OpenAI signals a fundamental shift in the AI industry, as these firms aim to redirect a substantial share of the $6 in services spent for every dollar on software. By embedding AI engineers directly into client organizations, they threaten to displace traditional consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and the Big Four, especially in the mid-market segment. This move could accelerate the transformation of enterprise AI deployment, reshape the competitive landscape, and influence the valuation and IPO strategies of these AI firms.

Strategic Shift Toward AI-Driven Enterprise Services

Over the past year, both Anthropic and OpenAI have significantly increased their enterprise engagement. Anthropic’s ARR is projected to reach over $9 billion by the end of 2025, with plans to surpass $30 billion by early 2026. The company has maintained a close relationship with the Claude Partner Network, which includes major consulting firms, but is now establishing a direct, equity-backed enterprise services arm. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s DeployCo, backed by PE giants and with a valuation of $10 billion, exemplifies a new model of deploying AI solutions at scale, targeting industries and mid-market firms that are underserved by traditional consultancies. These developments reflect a broader industry trend toward integrating AI engineering into business workflows, challenging the existing consulting and systems integration paradigms.

“Anthropic and OpenAI’s new ventures mark a clear strategic shift towards embedding AI engineers directly into client organizations, disrupting the traditional consulting model.”

— Thorsten Meyer

Unclear Long-Term Impact on Consulting Giants

It remains uncertain how quickly and extensively these AI-native enterprise services will displace traditional consulting firms, especially the Big Four and top strategy consultancies. The scale of adoption, client acceptance, and regulatory or organizational barriers could influence the trajectory. Additionally, the actual profitability and operational models of these new ventures are still evolving, and their long-term sustainability is yet to be proven.

Next Steps in Industry Adoption and Market Response

Both Anthropic and OpenAI are expected to expand their enterprise deployment efforts over the coming months, with potential pilot programs and larger client wins. The firms may also refine their models based on early feedback, and competitors—including traditional consultancies—are likely to accelerate their own AI-driven offerings. Monitoring IPO developments, valuation changes, and client adoption rates will be key indicators of how disruptive this shift becomes.

Key Questions

Why are Anthropic and OpenAI creating these new enterprise services companies?

They aim to embed AI engineers directly into client organizations to deliver outcomes, challenge traditional consulting models, and capture more value from enterprise AI deployments.

How might this affect traditional consulting firms?

It could reduce demand for human consulting services in certain segments, especially mid-market, and force traditional firms to accelerate their own AI initiatives or partner with these new AI-native entities.

What industries are targeted by these new ventures?

They are focusing on healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, retail, and real estate—sectors with significant digital transformation needs and sizable consulting budgets.

Will these AI-driven services replace all traditional consulting?

Unlikely in the short term; instead, they are expected to complement and gradually displace parts of the consulting market, especially where AI can deliver faster, more scalable outcomes.

What does this mean for the valuation and IPO prospects of Anthropic and OpenAI?

The move into enterprise services supports their growth narratives, with Anthropic reportedly considering a public listing as early as October 2026, and OpenAI’s DeployCo aiming to demonstrate substantial enterprise traction.

Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com