Anthropic picks the worst possible moment for its IPO.

AI startup Anthropic is reportedly moving ahead with plans for an initial public offering, aiming to list on the Nasdaq as soon as next week, even as the market reels from a major selloff. The timing appears particularly bold given recent scandals involving AI industry leaders and a cooling investment climate.

Investors are now eyeing a valuation target potentially far below the stratospheric numbers floated just months ago, signaling a reality check for the generative AI hype cycle. The move will test whether the AI funding boom can translate into sustainable public market confidence, or if it's just another case of tech founders trying to cash out before the music stops.