AI Giant Anthropic Abandons $6 Billion Deal for Israeli Startup Descartes

Artificial intelligence leader Anthropic has reportedly decided not to acquire Israeli startup Descartes, a deal that was previously valued at approximately $6 billion. The decision comes after Anthropic conducted due diligence on Descartes, examining its operations and technology in detail. The specific reasons for Anthropic's withdrawal from the potential acquisition have not been disclosed.

Despite the deal's collapse, the possibility of future collaboration between the two companies remains open. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Anthropic and Descartes may explore alternative ways to work together.

Descartes, founded in 2023 by Dean Leitersdorf and Moshe Shilo, with Oriane Leitersdorf later joining, specializes in technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of chips used in AI systems. Their innovations aim to reduce the costs associated with training and operating AI models.

This potential acquisition would have been one of the largest tech deals recorded in Israel and a significant move for Anthropic, which typically does not engage in large-scale acquisitions. Descartes will now continue to operate as an independent company, while the door remains open for a commercial or technological partnership with Anthropic.