Anthropic Slashes Prices with Claude Opus 5.5

Key Takeaways

• <ul><li>Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5, costing 40% less to run than Opus 5</li><li>Claude Opus 5.5 leads OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra on most benchmarks including Terminal-Bench 4.0 (66.4% vs 57.9%)</li><li>OpenAI countered with GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna as the AI price war heats up</li><li>Meta shipped 3.4 million AI glasses in H1 2026, capturing 81.3% market share</li><li>AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and others formed the Blueprint Alliance for AI agent security</li><li>Qualcomm launched a new AI-focused Android chip amid memory shortage</li><li>Iambic Therapeutics, Nvidia-backed AI drugmaker, filed for US IPO</li><li>2U partnered with CodeSignal to bring 400+ AI courses to edX</li><li>Exiger rebuilt its platform using AI, cutting upgrade from 3 years/$180M to 4 months/$20M</li><li>Meta's Muse AI assistant is gaining investor attention for potential stock boost</li></ul>

Anthropic launches Claude Opus 5.5 with Fable 5.1 performance at lower cost

Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5, the first model in its Claude 5.5 family. The company says it performs like Claude Fable 5.1 on most tasks but costs 40% less to run than Opus 5. Developers can access it through the Claude Platform, AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.

Claude Opus 5.5 beats GPT-6 Astra on most benchmarks

Anthropic's Claude Opus 5.5 leads OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra on most tested categories. It scored 66.4% on Terminal-Bench 4.0 against Astra's 57.9% and 1846 Elo on GDPval-AA v2.1 versus Astra's 1542. Astra still won on AutomationBench and Terminal-Bench-Science where safeguards likely affected Opus 5.5 scores.

Claude Opus 5.5 tops Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index with five point lead

Claude Opus 5.5 reached the top spot on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, leading six of ten evaluations. It scored 61.4% on Humanity's Last Exam and 1846 Elo on GDPval-AA v2.1. Pricing dropped to $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens, with cache reads down 60% to $0.20.

Anthropic launches Opus 5.5 after CEO Amodei called for AI slowdown

Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5 as its first model since CEO Dario Amodei called for slowing AI development. The model costs $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens, down from Opus 5's $5 and $25. Anthropic said the model underwent rigorous alignment testing and includes safeguards for cybersecurity and biology.

OpenAI and Anthropic release cheaper models as AI price war heats up

Anthropic and OpenAI released more affordable models within hours of each other. Anthropic launched Claude Opus 5.5 while OpenAI released GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna. Experts say the price war could reduce profits for both companies as businesses demand lower costs. CFOs are pushing back on AI spending and seeking cost optimization.

Anthropic and OpenAI release cheaper AI models

OpenAI launched GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna. Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5, a more token-efficient version costing about 40% less to run. The releases are the first since CEO Dario Amodei called for an industry slowdown on advanced AI development. The move aims to make AI answering more efficient and less costly.

2U brings CodeSignal AI courses to edX

2U partnered with CodeSignal to bring over 400 hands-on courses to edX. The courses cover practical AI, technical, and workplace skills with skill verification built in. Learners get guidance from Cosmo, CodeSignal's AI tutor. About one-third to one-half of the catalog focuses on practical AI skills like prompt engineering and ethical AI development.

2U brings CodeSignal courses to edX platform

CodeSignal launched over 400 practice-based courses on edX to help workers build AI and technical skills. Each course is designed by a subject matter expert and includes skill checks that show what a learner can do. The courses are available to individual learners and organizations. Additional courses will be added over time.

Tech leaders form Blueprint Alliance for AI agent security

AWS, CrowdStrike, Google Cloud, Okta, ServiceNow, Wiz, Zscaler and other companies formed the Blueprint Alliance to secure AI agents. The alliance will create an open reference architecture to govern AI agents across enterprise environments. By 2028, a Fortune 500 company could have over 150,000 AI agents in use. Only 13% of organizations believe they have proper governance for AI agents.

Okta-led alliance unveils AI agent security blueprint

Okta and technology companies formed the Blueprint Alliance to develop shared security for AI agents. The architecture treats every agent as a distinct identity with limited access. It addresses four key questions: where agents are, what they can do, what they are doing, and how to respond to problems. GE Appliances and World Central Kitchen serve as strategic advisors to test the model in real-world settings.

Global AI glasses shipments hit record 4.2 million in first half of 2026

Global AI glasses shipments reached 4.2 million units in the first half of 2026, a 127% increase from the previous year. Meta maintained its leading position by shipping 3.4 million units and capturing 81.3% of the market. Even Realities rose to second place with 102,000 units sold. China's shipments surged 306% year-on-year as local vendors tested different designs. However, the market remains fragmented, with Alibaba, INMO, and Xiaomi together making up just 46.1% of sales.

How to protect your privacy while using AI chatbots

AI chatbots learn from your conversations, which can make your personal data vulnerable to tracking and surveillance. To stay safe, the article recommends using tools like VPNs, the Tor browser, DuckDuckGo, Signal, ProtonMail, LastPass, ExpressVPN, Asus routers, OpenWRT firewalls, and Malwarebytes. These tools help keep your online activity private. Following these steps can protect your conversations with AI from being monitored.

AI infrastructure stocks in focus as Xi and Trump meet in 2026

AI infrastructure suppliers are being closely watched as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for his first visit to Washington in 11 years. President Donald Trump views the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure push as a key priority. The Xi-Trump summit is seen by some policy experts as a chance to shape the future of the AI industry. The meeting could affect how AI supply chains and policies develop.

Nvidia-backed AI drugmaker Iambic Therapeutics files for US IPO

Iambic Therapeutics, an AI drug development company backed by Nvidia, has filed for a US initial public offering. The San Diego-based company plans to use the IPO proceeds to advance three cancer drugs in early development. Iambic uses artificial intelligence to create new medicines. The filing marks a major step for AI-driven healthcare innovation.

Qualcomm launches AI-focused Android chip amid memory shortage

Qualcomm released a new Android chip designed to act as an AI hub that can process AI models directly on the device. The chip includes a CPU, GPU, and neural processing unit to handle AI workloads and background agents. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said the shift is moving from phone-based tasks to agentic experiences. The company also added security features to protect sensitive data. This launch comes as a memory shortage affects the smartphone market.

Exiger AI Overhaul Changes Carlyle Group Investment Story

Exiger, backed by Carlyle Group, Insight Partners, and JMI Equity, rebuilt its 1Exiger platform using AI. The company turned a planned three year, US$180 million upgrade into a four month, US$20 million project. The new AI-native platform focuses on supply chain, procurement, and compliance workflows. It also connects Carlyle Group's private markets work to practical AI use in client organizations.

Meta Muse AI Grows in Popularity and May Boost Stock

Meta is gaining attention for its Muse AI conversational assistant. Muse AI handles tasks like scheduling appointments, sending messages, and making phone calls. Investors are excited about the chance to add Muse AI into Meta's existing products and services. Some analysts believe it could improve user experience and engagement, possibly pushing Meta's stock higher.

Sources

• Anthropic Releases Claude Opus 5.5: Fable 5.1-Level Performance at 40% Lower Running Cost Than Opus 5
• Anthropic Releases Claude Opus 5.5, Beats GPT-6 Astra On Most Benchmarks
• Claude Opus 5.5 Jumps To Top Spot On Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, Creates 5 Point Lead Over GPT-6 Astra
• Anthropic launches Opus 5.5, its first model since CEO Amodei called for AI slowdown
• What AI slowdown? OpenAI, Anthropic release dueling models as price wars heat up
• Anthropic and OpenAI roll out cheaper models in first release since call for slowdown
• 2U Brings CodeSignal's AI-Native, Hands-On Courses to edX
• 2U Brings CodeSignal's AI-Native, Hands-On Courses to edX
• Over 150,000 AI agents could serve one Fortune 500 enterprise by 2028. Okta joins a security alliance.
• Okta-led alliance unveils blueprint for AI agent security
• Omdia: Global AI glasses shipments more than doubled in 1H26, hitting a record 4.2 million
• How to Use AI With Your Privacy Intact
• AI Pick-And-Shovel Stocks To Watch As Xi And Trump Meet
• Nvidia-backed AI drugmaker Iambic Therapeutics files for US IPO
• Qualcomm releases Android chip built for AI as memory shortage weighs on smartphone market
• AI Platform Launch At Carlyle Group Stock Has Changed Its Investment Story
• Meta's Muse AI Is Soaring in Popularity. Could It Send the Stock to New Heights?