Anthropic's best AI model struggles to attract users as cheaper tools thrive (ft.com)

Article summary

Anthropic's top AI model is struggling to attract users due to high costs and restrictive safety guardrails. The company's pricing strategy and token-based system have led to user dissatisfaction. Users are opting for cheaper alternatives or sticking with older models that are more reliable and cost-effective. This has resulted in a significant portion of users not upgrading to the latest model.

Main themes

• AI model pricing and accessibility
• User experience and support
• Technological change and skill devaluation
• Big tech companies and monopolies
• Automation and human support
• AI model capabilities and limitations

What commenters say

• The pricing strategy and token-based system are major turn-offs for users, leading to a preference for cheaper alternatives.
• The safety guardrails on the latest model are too restrictive, causing frustration and limiting its usefulness.
• The company's focus on profit optimization has led to a neglect of user needs and support.
• Some users find the latest model to be a step backward in terms of capability and language, and prefer older models.
• The lack of human support and reliance on automation is a major issue for users, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.
• The constant changes to the pricing and token system create anxiety and uncertainty for users, making it difficult to rely on the service.
• The use of AI models is changing the way people work and code, with some seeing it as a major improvement and others as a devaluation of skills.
• The monopoly of big tech companies and their prioritization of profit over user experience is a major concern for some users.