anthropic ceo claps back after trump officials accuse firm of ai fear-mongering  

Anthropic Addresses Claims Regarding its AI Policy Stance

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, released a statement on Tuesday to clarify the company’s position concerning AI policy under the Trump administration. This response was prompted by what he described as a growing number of inaccurate assertions about Anthropic’s policy viewpoints.

Core Principles of Anthropic

AI, according to Amodei, should fundamentally serve as a catalyst for positive human progress, rather than posing a threat. This commitment translates into developing genuinely useful products, transparently discussing both the advantages and potential risks, and collaborating with all stakeholders dedicated to responsible AI development.

Response to Recent Criticism

Amodei’s statement followed a wave of criticism from AI industry figures and members of the Trump administration. These included David Sacks, AI czar, and Sriram Krishnan, a senior policy advisor, who accused Anthropic of intentionally fostering anxieties to undermine the industry.

The Origin of the Dispute

The initial criticism stemmed from comments made by Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, who expressed both optimism and “appropriate fears” regarding AI. Clark characterized AI as a potent, complex, and somewhat unpredictable entity, challenging the notion of it being a readily controllable tool.

David Sacks responded by alleging that Anthropic was employing a “regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering.” He further asserted that the company was largely responsible for the increased regulatory scrutiny impacting the startup environment.

Defense and Counterarguments

California Senator Scott Wiener defended Anthropic, criticizing President Trump’s attempts to restrict states from enacting AI regulations without corresponding federal protections. Sacks subsequently reiterated his claims, suggesting Anthropic was collaborating with Wiener to implement a “Left’s vision of AI regulation.”

Further criticism came from figures like Groq COO Sunny Madra, who accused Anthropic of “causing chaos for the entire industry” by advocating for even minimal AI safety measures, rather than prioritizing unrestricted innovation.

Amodei's Rebuttal and Collaboration

Amodei emphasized that managing the societal implications of AI should be driven by “policy over politics.” He expressed a shared desire to maintain America’s leadership in AI development while ensuring the technology benefits the American populace.

He highlighted Anthropic’s alignment with the Trump administration on key AI policy areas, citing instances of direct collaboration. This included offering Claude to the federal government and a $200 million agreement with the Department of Defense – referred to by Amodei as “the Department of War,” echoing Trump’s preferred terminology.

Points of Contention

Despite these cooperative efforts, Anthropic has faced backlash for diverging from the prevailing Silicon Valley consensus on certain policy matters.

The company initially drew criticism for opposing a proposed 10-year ban on state-level AI regulation, a provision that encountered bipartisan opposition.

Concerns About Global Competition

Many within Silicon Valley, including OpenAI leaders, have argued that state-level AI regulation would hinder the industry and potentially cede leadership to China. Amodei countered by pointing out that the U.S. continues to supply China with advanced AI chips from Nvidia.

He also stated that Anthropic restricts the sale of its AI services to companies controlled by China, even if it results in revenue losses. “There are products we will not build and risks we will not take, even if they would make money,” Amodei affirmed.

Support for AI Safety Measures

Anthropic’s support for California’s SB 53, a bill promoting AI safety by requiring transparency in frontier model safety protocols, also sparked controversy. The bill includes an exemption for startups with annual revenues below $500 million.

Amodei refuted claims that Anthropic aimed to harm the startup ecosystem, stating, “Startups are among our most important customers.” He emphasized Anthropic’s extensive work with startups, powering a new generation of AI-native companies.

Growth and Responsible Deployment

Amodei noted that Anthropic has experienced significant growth, increasing from a $1 billion to a $7 billion run-rate in the last nine months, while prioritizing “AI thoughtfully and responsibly.”

Commitment to Constructive Engagement

“Anthropic is committed to constructive engagement on matters of public policy,” Amodei concluded. “When we agree, we say so. When we don’t, we propose an alternative for consideration.” He pledged continued honesty and a willingness to advocate for policies the company believes are right, emphasizing the critical importance of this technology.