# OpenAI and Anthropic wage price war on AI

> The two leading AI labs released cheaper models within hours of each other, undercutting prices as businesses demand better value.
- Title: OpenAI and Anthropic wage price war on AI · Fortune | Shortify
- Summary: The two leading AI labs released cheaper models within hours of each other, undercutting prices as businesses demand better value. OpenAI and Anthropic…
- Keywords: openai, anthropic, ai models, price war, claude opus, gpt-6, artificial intelligence, wage, price, war, Fortune
- Source: Fortune — https://fortune.com/2026/09/22/what-ai-slowdown-openai-anthropic-release-dueling-moreaffordable-models-as-ai-price-wars-heat-up
- Author: Emily Forlini
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: openai, anthropic, ai models, price war, claude opus, gpt-6, artificial intelligence
## Anthropic cuts Claude Opus prices
Anthropic released Claude Opus five point five, performing at the level of its flagship Fable five point one model but costing around forty percent less to run than Opus five.
## OpenAI launches cheaper GPT-6 versions
OpenAI released GPT-six Sol and GPT-six Luna, offshoots of its flagship GPT-six Astra model, with API costs fifty percent lower than its current Astra promotion pricing.
## Releases came within hours
Both companies debuted their cheaper models within hours of each other, signalling their heated rivalry despite recent calls from both for an AI slowdown.
## Price war threatens profits
Ara Kharazian, lead economist at Ramp, said OpenAI and Anthropic are engaged in a price war driving down AI prices and their ability to profit from models.

> OpenAI and Anthropic are engaged in a price war that is driving down the price of AI and therefore driving down their ability to profit from it
## Cheaper models target everyday work
The real business fight may be gaining everyday customers, not offering the most powerful models. Many businesses are tightening AI budgets and demanding better return on investment.
## CFOs scrutinize AI spending
Randall Hunt, CTO at Caylent, said CFOs have seen sticker shock and promised gains haven't materialised, so they're optimising costs for planning in twenty twenty-seven and beyond.

> CFOs have seen some of the sticker shock, and they haven't seen some of the gains that were promised in the initial investments
## Cost per task becomes metric
Caylent calculates how long employees take to complete tasks with AI tools, then determines cost per task, an approach OpenAI encouraged in a mid-July twenty twenty-six blog post.
## Key takeaway

OpenAI and Anthropic released cheaper model versions simultaneously, slashing prices as they compete for cost-conscious business customers.