WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: Anthropic Signs Cognizant in Enterprise Deal

Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Zoe Culkin (Wall Street Journal)

Overview

This episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing delivers a concise rundown of the day’s top tech business headlines, focusing on Anthropic’s landmark enterprise deal with Cognizant, Spotify’s surge in subscriber growth and profit, and Uber’s record-setting quarter. The coverage combines exclusive reporting and quick-analysis, giving listeners a snapshot of current trends shaping the tech sector.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anthropic Lands Major Deal With Cognizant

• Exclusive News: Anthropic, the AI startup behind the Claude models, has signed one of its biggest enterprise deals with Cognizant Technology Solutions.
• Deal Details:
  • Cognizant becomes one of Anthropic’s three largest customers by enterprise seats.
  • Claude AI will be rolled out company-wide to 350,000 Cognizant employees.
  • Financial specifics of the partnership remain undisclosed.
• Strategic Significance:
  • The deal positions Anthropic as a key contender in the enterprise AI space, seeking to become the default business AI service.
  • It highlights the accelerating pace at which generative AI is being integrated at enterprise scale.
• Notable Quote:

  “For the Wall Street Journal, we’re exclusively reporting Anthropic has signed professional services firm Cognizant Technology Solutions and one of its biggest deals yet as the AI startup looks to make its flagship Claude models the preferred AI for businesses.”
  —Zoe Culkin [00:19]

2. Spotify’s Strong Financial Performance

• Q3 Earnings Highlights:
  • Subscribers: Monthly active users (MAUs) rose 11%, exceeding previous guidance.
  • Premium Subscribers: Up 12% year over year.
  • Net Income: €899 million ($1B+), up from €300 million the prior year.
  • New Features: Expansion of app functions, with additions like social messaging, playlist enhancements, and higher-quality audio.
  • Stock Movement: Share price is up approximately 40% for the year.
• Implications: Spotify’s strategic focus on platform diversification and technology enhancements is driving growth amidst intense streaming competition.

3. Uber’s Record-Setting Quarter

• Q3 Performance Metrics:
  • Profit: $6.62 billion, up from $2.61 billion.
  • Special Factors: Includes almost $5B from a tax valuation release.
  • Revenue: Up 20%, surpassing Wall Street forecasts.
  • Trips: Increased 22% YoY.
  • Monthly Active Platform Customers: Up 17%.
• Broader Context: Uber’s continued rebound aligns with the wider adoption of shared mobility services as pandemic impacts wane.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Monumentality of the Anthropic-Cognizant Deal:

  “According to Anthropic, Cognizant is now one of its three largest customers by a total number of enterprise seats, and it will roll out Claude to its 350,000 employees.”
  —Zoe Culkin [00:31]

• Spotify’s impressive year:

  “Spotify posted a net income of 899 million euros, or just over a billion dollars, up from 300 million euros a year earlier.”
  —Zoe Culkin [00:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:19 — Exclusive report: Anthropic secures enterprise deal with Cognizant
• 00:31 — Claude reaching 350,000 Cognizant employees
• 00:44 — Spotify’s earnings and user growth
• 01:13 — Uber’s record-breaking quarterly results

Additional Segment: Healthcare Innovation Spotlight (Sponsored)

Although not part of the main news reporting, the closing segment briefly highlights how digital transformation is advancing the healthcare experience.

• Dr. Paul A. Testa (NYU Langone):

  “What we are seeing now is these tools are helping patients understand what their first next best step is in their care journey. If we can make sure we have a right match with the right surgeon for the right problem and the right patient in the right location, all that coordination is a digital matrix that we are doing now.”
  —Paul Testa [02:11]

Conclusion

This episode spotlights the rapid adoption of generative AI in enterprise settings, reinforced by Anthropic’s significant Cognizant partnership. Spotify and Uber’s record performances underscore the growing resilience and adaptability of tech platforms in competitive markets. The developments discussed have far-reaching implications for the future of AI integration, digital media, and mobility services.

For detailed daily tech coverage, tune back in to the WSJ Tech News Briefing.