Ackman Favors Anthropic Over OpenAI Ahead of AI IPOs, Details New Manhattan Medical Bet
Pershing Square founder outlines tech positions, launches Manhattan brain research institute, and cautions against socialist economic policies.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is favoring Anthropic over OpenAI as major artificial intelligence developers prepare for anticipated initial public offerings, while expanding his hedge fund’s stakes in mega-cap technology firms.
The Pershing Square Capital Management founder confirmed backing for Uber Technologies Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. during an interview on Fortune’s podcast, while detailing a new medical venture inspired by a personal crisis.
Ackman announced plans to establish a new brain institute in Manhattan following a family health crisis over the past six months, marking a notable departure from his historical investment focus on public equities.
The investor’s high-profile track record includes profitable long positions in Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., alongside activist campaigns involving Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and Herbalife Ltd. Early in his career, Ackman launched his initial firm, Gotham, after graduating from Harvard by cold-calling wealthy individuals listed on the Forbes 400.
Having achieved his early milestone of becoming a billionaire before turning 50, Ackman has increasingly utilized his social media platform of 2.7 million followers on X to weigh in on policy debates, university leadership, and national politics.
Speaking on economic trends, Ackman warned against growing support for socialist policies amid living cost pressures, explicitly targeting political proposals in New York. “Socialism is a disaster,” Ackman said. “Watch if Mamdani is successful in implementing these plans. Watch what happens to New York City,” he added, referring to state assembly member Zohran Mamdani.
Addressing internal debate across his holdings, Ackman said he actively encourages staff and board directors to dispute his investment theses. “I’m focused on what I believe to be the truth, and I’m very happy to hear your argument if you think I’m wrong,” he said. “I’ll course correct if you convince me.”
