Anthropic’s CPO Mike Krieger Resigns from Figma’s Board Amid Potential Competition
On April 14, 2026, Mike Krieger, Chief Product Officer (CPO) at Anthropic, stepped down from his position on Figma’s board of directors. This move coincided with reports suggesting that Anthropic’s forthcoming AI model, Opus 4.7, may introduce design tools that could rival Figma’s core offerings.
Figma, renowned for its user-friendly interface design platform, has been a staple for designers crafting web and app interfaces. The company has previously collaborated with Anthropic to integrate AI functionalities into its products, enhancing user experience through intelligent assistance.
Krieger, who co-founded Instagram and later the AI-driven news application Artifact, joined Anthropic as CPO in 2024. His appointment to Figma’s board occurred less than a year ago, marking a brief tenure that now concludes amid potential competitive developments.
The timing of Krieger’s departure aligns with industry concerns about major AI firms encroaching upon traditional software markets—a phenomenon some investors term the SaaSpocalypse. This apprehension stems from fears that AI giants like Anthropic and OpenAI might overshadow established software businesses by leveraging advanced AI capabilities.
Despite these concerns, Figma’s stock experienced a 5% uptick following the announcement of Krieger’s resignation, indicating investor confidence in the company’s resilience. Meanwhile, Anthropic continues to attract significant investor interest, reportedly declining offers that would value the company at $800 billion—more than double its valuation from earlier in the year.
As the tech landscape evolves, the intersection of AI development and software services remains a focal point. The forthcoming release of Anthropic’s Opus 4.7 will be closely watched to assess its impact on the design tool market and its potential to challenge established players like Figma.
