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Anthropic and OpenAI have each announced the formation of new enterprise services entities designed to embed AI engineers directly into mid-sized companies, marking a strategic shift toward consulting-style operations focused on delivering AI-driven outcomes.

On May 4, 2026, Anthropic revealed a $1.5 billion joint venture backed by major asset managers, aimed at deploying Anthropic’s AI engineers into sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services. The firm plans to embed engineers into client organizations, redesigning workflows around its Claude AI model, similar to Palantir’s forward-deployed engineering model.

Two days later, on May 6, OpenAI announced a comparable initiative called ‘DeployCo,’ backed by a $4 billion private equity commitment and valued at $10 billion. DeployCo is also focused on embedding AI expertise into client operations, targeting mid-market companies and PE portfolios.

This coordinated timing suggests a strategic move by both firms to position themselves as integrated, consulting-like partners rather than just software providers, aiming to capture a larger share of the global AI services market, which is currently dominated by traditional consultancies.

Implications for the Consulting Industry and AI Market

This shift indicates a fundamental change in how AI companies are approaching enterprise deployment, moving from licensing software to delivering outcome-oriented, embedded AI services. It threatens to displace traditional consulting firms, especially in the mid-market segment, and could reshape the entire global IT services industry. The move also signals that AI-native firms are seeking to capture a larger share of the estimated $1.4 trillion annual IT services market, potentially reducing reliance on human consultants and transforming enterprise operations at scale.

Strategic Moves in AI Enterprise Deployment

Over the past year, AI firms like Anthropic and OpenAI have rapidly expanded their enterprise offerings, with Anthropic’s ARR projected to grow from $9 billion end-2025 to over $30 billion in early 2026. The formation of these joint ventures aligns with a broader industry trend where AI companies are positioning themselves as outcomes-focused partners rather than mere technology providers.

Historically, the consulting industry—led by firms like McKinsey, BCG, and the Big Four—has dominated enterprise transformation, with a global market size of approximately $1.4 trillion annually. The new AI-native entities aim to disrupt this dynamic by embedding engineers directly into client operations, especially targeting sectors where traditional consulting is too expensive or insufficiently specialized for AI integration.

This move follows recent high-profile funding rounds and valuation milestones, with Anthropic reportedly nearing a $50 billion funding round and a potential IPO as early as October 2026, further emphasizing its strategic shift toward integrated, outcome-based services.

“The formation of these enterprise services entities signals a fundamental shift in how AI firms are approaching enterprise deployment, aiming to embed engineers directly into client organizations and compete with traditional consulting firms.”

— Thorsten Meyer

Unclear Details on Long-Term Impact and Market Penetration

It remains uncertain how quickly traditional consulting firms will respond to this disruption, whether AI-native firms can scale their embedded services effectively across diverse sectors, and how the valuation and funding rounds will influence market dynamics long-term. Additionally, the exact operational models and client acceptance of embedded AI engineering are still developing.

Next Steps in AI-Driven Enterprise Services Expansion

Both Anthropic and OpenAI are expected to expand their enterprise teams and deepen sector-specific deployments in the coming months. Learn more about how these developments are reshaping enterprise services. Industry observers will also monitor how traditional consulting giants respond, possibly by launching their own AI-driven offerings or acquiring specialized startups.

Key Questions

How will these new AI services compete with traditional consulting firms?

By embedding AI engineers directly into client organizations, these firms aim to deliver tailored, outcome-focused solutions that are more integrated and potentially more cost-effective than traditional consulting approaches.

What sectors are targeted by these embedded AI services?

Initial focus includes healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, retail, and real estate, especially targeting mid-sized companies and PE portfolios that are underserved by existing large consultancies.

Could this shift lead to job losses in traditional consulting?

Potentially, as AI-native firms automate or augment many consulting tasks. However, the extent will depend on how quickly these new models scale and how traditional firms adapt.

Will this impact the valuation and IPO prospects of companies like Anthropic?

Yes, the strategic focus on embedded services and outcome-based models could boost valuations and accelerate IPO timelines, as evidenced by Anthropic’s nearing a $50 billion funding round and potential listing in late 2026.

Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com