CNBC · 18 Sep, 09:38 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Anthropic and OpenAI hunt for smaller data center deals, sources tell CNBC, in race to deploy AI capacity

Anthropic and OpenAI are actively pursuing smaller data centre agreements, according to sources cited by CNBC.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills

11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019

66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Anthropic and OpenAI are actively pursuing smaller data centre agreements, according to sources cited by CNBC. This strategic shift indicates a competitive race to rapidly deploy artificial intelligence computing capacity. Rather than relying solely on massive, custom-built facilities, these leading firms are diversifying their infrastructure partnerships. The move suggests an urgent need to scale model training and inference capabilities efficiently. For industry observers, this signals a tightening supply chain for high-performance computing resources. It also highlights the growing complexity of managing distributed AI infrastructure. Professionals in technology and infrastructure sectors should note this trend as it reshapes how major tech companies secure the physical assets required to sustain their AI growth trajectories.

Employer demand for Medical Physics skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This development signals that AI infrastructure is becoming a critical bottleneck, elevating the value of skills in scalable system design and vendor management. You should pay close attention if you work in technology procurement, data centre operations, or strategic planning. The shift towards smaller, distributed deals means organisations need professionals who can manage complex, multi-vendor environments efficiently. A smart professional would upskill in Cloud Computing and Sustainable Computing to understand the technical and environmental implications of this infrastructure fragmentation. Additionally, strengthening your expertise in Project Management will help you navigate the accelerated deployment timelines these companies face. Focus on learning how to integrate diverse hardware solutions while maintaining security and performance standards. This is not just a tech issue; it is a strategic operational challenge that requires agile leadership and precise execution to succeed in the evolving AI landscape.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Medical Physics, Python Data Visualisation Libraries Mastery, API Development and Staff Recruitment And Retention — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.