EPAM Systems, Inc. has entered into a strategic, multi-year partnership with Anthropic to accelerate the deployment of safe and reliable enterprise AI. The collaboration aims to help Global 2000 clients transition from AI experimentation to fully AI-native operations by leveraging Anthropic’s Claude models, Claude Code, and Claude Agent SDK. As part of this CEO-mandated initiative, EPAM is building a massive specialized practice to address the growing demand for complex engineering expertise and operational efficiency in the age of autonomous AI.
EPAM and Anthropic have launched a multi-year partnership for enterprise-grade AI transformation.
EPAM is establishing a practice of 10,000 Claude-certified architects, with 1,300 already certified.
250 specialized "Black Belt" engineers will be forward-deployed to assist with complex builds.
More than 20,000 EPAM employees have completed training via the Anthropic Academy.
The partnership focuses on Claude, Claude Code, Claude Security, and the Anthropic Agent SDK.
Goal of 5,000 certified architects by the end of Q3 2026, with thousands more scheduled for 2027.
The partnership is designed to bridge the gap between technological complexity and enterprise safety. By combining EPAM’s 30 years of software engineering heritage with Anthropic’s cutting-edge agentic tools, the duo offers a structured pathway for companies to automate workflows and analyze large-scale datasets. The initiative emphasizes "AI-native builds," moving beyond simple chatbots to integrate autonomous agents into core business functions such as legacy system modernization and supply chain optimization.
"Our partnership with Anthropic is an important milestone in EPAM's mission to become the leading AI-native strategic service provider to our Global 2000 clients," said Elaina Shekhter, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at EPAM. "We look forward to working closely with Anthropic to shape the digital landscape and set new standards for how enterprises bridge technological speed and complexity with the necessary safety controls."
A central pillar of the agreement is the rapid upskilling of EPAM’s global workforce. The creation of the Anthropic Academy within EPAM has already enabled tens of thousands of "EPAMers" to gain proficiency in Claude’s ecosystem. This massive scale-up of certified talent is intended to provide clients with the technical depth required to take AI concepts into full production environments while maintaining the rigorous security standards necessary for Forbes Global 2000 organizations.
"EPAM has trained more than 20,000 EPAMers on Claude and is scaling a dedicated practice toward 10,000 certified architects," said Phil Samenuk, Head of Partnerships at Anthropic. "Together, we're helping enterprises strengthen operational resilience and meet their business objectives by taking AI from concept to production."
As businesses face increasing pressure to extract measurable value from AI investments, the demand for service providers capable of handling high-level engineering has spiked. EPAM positions itself as the premier architect of these AI-native systems, focusing on sustainable growth and distinct market advantages for its clients. The collaboration highlights a shift in the service provider landscape toward deep model-specific expertise and integrated consulting.
About EPAM Systems, Inc.
EPAM (NYSE: EPAM) is a global leader in AI transformation engineering and integrated consulting, serving Forbes Global 2000 companies and ambitious startups. With over thirty years of expertise in custom software, product and platform engineering, EPAM empowers organizations to become AI-Native enterprises, driving measurable value from innovation and digital investments. Recognized by industry benchmarks and leading analysts as a leader in AI, EPAM delivers globally while engaging locally, making the future real for clients, partners, and employees.
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