Introduction

As a video titled “Reverse Claude Code” went viral, top global investors are flocking to Anthropic, the company behind Claude, making it the second major AI unicorn after OpenAI.

The Experiment

On January 17, 2026, an engineer from Midjourney posted a video on X, showcasing Claude Code not waiting for human commands but instead directing humans to perform tasks:

• Check the API documentation and refactor this code while maintaining consistent style.
• Send an X message, you go…

In this reversal, AI is commanding humans to work!

Community Reactions

The community has expressed that this is the correct use of AI, with comments likening it to a real-life version of “Ratatouille” in programming.

The Implications

This experiment, while seemingly a playful technical showcase, has revealed a troubling truth: the capabilities of AI are expanding at an alarming rate. Claude Code’s popularity has stirred excitement in the developer community.

The Metaphor of Reversal

Returning to the “Reverse Claude Code” video, it serves as a metaphor for the future: Are humans enslaving AI, or is AI controlling humans? This raises questions about the nature of human-AI interaction.

The Shift in Roles

Traditionally, humans issue commands while machines execute them. This relationship is becoming blurred as Claude Code demonstrates the ability to understand code structures, determine necessary documentation, and even critique design choices. With this capability, AI is transforming from a mere tool to an agent capable of planning and executing multi-step tasks.

Developers are beginning to treat AI as a “digital colleague,” assigning tasks and awaiting progress reports, with humans focusing on final reviews and decisions. This shift subtly alters human roles from code writers to code reviewers and problem definers.

Investment Surge in Anthropic

On January 18, 2026, the Financial Times reported that Sequoia Capital would participate in Anthropic’s new funding round. This is significant as Anthropic is a direct competitor to OpenAI, in which Sequoia has also invested, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

Anthropic is targeting a staggering $25 billion in funding, with a valuation soaring to $350 billion, doubling from $170 billion just four months prior.

The Arms Race in AI Models

The competition in AI models has escalated into an arms race, with Anthropic’s rapid rise and Claude Opus 4.5 becoming highly sought after in the programming community. Claude Code can handle 70-80% of routine development tasks and integrate deeply with systems like Git and CI/CD.

The New Power Triangle

The story of AI is repeating itself in extreme forms. Anthropic’s core team, including former OpenAI members, brings not only technical expertise but also a commitment to AI safety, which is increasingly valued in a climate of fear surrounding rapid AI advancements.

Conclusion

As history shows, the migration of talent leads to technological breakthroughs, which in turn attract more investment. The current landscape suggests that Anthropic may soon become the second AI startup valued over $100 billion, following OpenAI. The collective investment from top firms indicates a belief that this is not a bubble but a glimpse into the future, despite the inherent risks involved.