OpenAI freaked out the software industry. Now, it's Anthropic's turn. (www.businessinsider.com)

Anthropic has rolled out a series of new AI tools, including Claude for Healthcare & Life Sciences and Claude Cowork, which have alarmed the software industry by raising questions about the sustainability of traditional business models. Following these announcements, analysts at RBC Capital Markets reported a significant decline in stock prices for major software companies like Salesforce and Workday, with losses ranging from 6% to 13%. This trend echoes the impact of previous innovations from OpenAI and signals a growing concern that generative AI could threaten the revenue streams of software-as-a-service companies that rely on bundled features. The significance of Anthropic's advancements lies in their potential to disrupt established vertical software markets, previously thought to be insulated due to their regulatory complexities and specialized expertise. By integrating AI tools directly with medical databases and providing tailored skills for industry workflows, Anthropic's new offerings suggest that even niche software sectors may not be "AI-proof" as previously believed. As the pace of AI innovation accelerates, analysts caution that the anxiety surrounding the financial viability and pricing power of software companies may persist, indicating a critical shift in the software landscape driven by rapid AI advancements.