Anthropic Backs Tougher State AI Rules for $500 Million-Plus Labs
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Jul 16
Anthropic Backs Tougher State AI Rules for $500 Million-Plus Labs
2 articles · Updated · WIRED · Jul 16
Summary
Anthropic says 2025 transparency laws in California and New York are already insufficient and is now urging states to impose stronger frontier-AI safeguards on the biggest developers.
The company has endorsed Illinois and Massachusetts proposals requiring third-party safety audits, with the Massachusetts bill also letting the state attorney general seek injunctions against noncompliant labs.
Cesar Fernandez, Anthropic’s new state policy chief, argues the measures target only large model makers—generally firms with hundreds of millions in AI spending and more than $500 million in annual revenue.
Critics including former White House AI czar David Sacks call the push regulatory capture aimed at burdening rivals, an accusation Anthropic denies as Congress remains stalled and states take the lead.
Anthropic still draws a line at deployment bans, saying only the federal government—not states—should be able to block unsafe models through a fair, transparent review process.
Is Anthropic’s call for AI safety a genuine concern or a strategy to sideline its cheaper, open-source Chinese rivals?
Why does Anthropic focus on future AI dangers while ignoring the current job losses and environmental costs its technology creates?
From Illinois to Massachusetts: The State-by-State Battle for AI Safety and the Federal Patchwork Dilemma
Overview
Anthropic is leading a push for stricter state-level AI regulations in the United States, aiming to create strong safeguards and accountability for advanced AI systems. Their efforts are fueling a broader legislative movement, with states like Massachusetts considering tough new laws that would require large AI developers to identify and mitigate catastrophic risks, undergo independent reviews, and report safety incidents. This strategy is shaping a growing patchwork of state laws designed to address AI risks, reflecting Anthropic’s commitment to proactive oversight and influencing how AI safety is governed across the country.