Anthropic signs multibillion-dollar computing contract with Akamai
The agreement runs for seven years and could, according to Akamai, grow to a total value of 20 billion dollars.
Anthropic has signed a contract with Akamai for approximately 11.6 billion dollars’ worth of cloud capacity over seven years. Akamai says the agreement can be expanded by a further 9 billion dollars and that the infrastructure is primarily intended to support CPU workloads for AI services.
Akamai announced the agreement on Thursday. Anthropic will use Akamai Cloud, a distributed network of data centres and software for cloud and AI applications. According to Akamai, this is not a one-off purchase but a contractual commitment to take capacity over seven years.
The companies refer to a possible total value of approximately 20 billion dollars if the expansion is carried out. The additional 9 billion dollars is therefore not a fixed part of the current contract. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) describes the agreement as two project plans with an initial term of seven years.
Akamai expects to require approximately 5.5 billion dollars in capital investment to carry out the agreement. Of that, approximately 1.7 billion dollars would be spent in 2026 on memory chips and other components of the supply chain. That amount is Akamai’s estimate, not an independent projection.
The compensation structure is also notable. Akamai has granted Anthropic a warrant that could ultimately entitle it to shares representing a maximum of approximately 5 per cent of Akamai’s outstanding share capital. Part of this is linked to the current commitment; further dilution depends on the expansion of the contract.
The deal shows how AI companies are competing not only for models and users, but also for long-term access to computing power. That could give cloud companies greater certainty when procuring data centres and chips. At the same time, financial dependence is increasing: the supplier must make major investments before the full revenue stream gets under way.
The agreement says nothing about Anthropic’s profitability or the eventual demand for its services. The SEC filing does show, however, that the contract value is material enough for Akamai to report it as a significant business contract. The precise infrastructure schedule and any later expansion may still change.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The contract value, term and investment estimate can be found in two primary company sources. Uncertain future expansion and financial expectations are presented as Akamai’s estimates.
- confirmed Anthropic has a contract worth approximately 11.6 billion dollars with Akamai over seven years. — Akamai and the SEC report this separately. source
- confirmed The contract can be expanded by up to 9 billion dollars. — Akamai mentions this possibility in the press release. source
- confirmed Akamai estimates approximately 5.5 billion dollars in capital investment. — Company estimate in the press release. source
- confirmed The warrant could represent a maximum of approximately 5 per cent of Akamai. — Akamai describes the warrant and its conditions. source
Editor's note
The amounts, term, investment estimate and warrant come from Akamai’s press release and SEC filing. Expected expenditure and possible expansion are company estimates, not realised results.Sources
- Akamai Announces $11.6 Billion Multi-year Agreement with Anthropic — Akamai
- Form 8-K: Anthropic Master Services Agreement — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „anthropic akamai”
- NOS — „anthropic akamai”
- Het Parool — „anthropic akamai”