OpenAI, Anthropic Release Lower-Cost AI Models as Competition Intensifies

Anthropic and OpenAI introduced more affordable versions of their frontier models within hours of each other on Sept. 22 as they compete for business customers and face growing competition from lower-cost open-weight models, Emily Forlini and Beatrice Nolan reported for Fortune Tech.

OpenAI and Anthropic introduced lower-cost models as AI companies compete for enterprise customers and seek to reduce the cost of deploying advanced models. [Image: OpenAI]

Anthropic introduced Claude Opus 5.5, which the company says delivers performance comparable to its flagship Fable 5.1 model while costing about 40% less to run than Opus 5.

Anthropic said Sonnet 5.5 and Haiku 5.5 are expected in the following weeks.

OpenAI introduced GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna, additional models in its GPT-6 family following the launch of GPT-6 Astra earlier this month.

OpenAI said the new models are designed to provide different balances of capability and cost for everyday and complex work.

The company also cut their API prices by 50% compared with the promotional pricing of its GPT-5.6 counterparts. The releases have intensified price competition in the AI-model market.

Ara Kharazian, lead economist at Ramp, told Fortune that the competition is taking place both through cheaper models and price reductions for more expensive offerings.

The lower prices could affect the economics of operating advanced AI systems. However, the effect on the companies’ long-term profitability remains uncertain.