Anthropic forms new committee to influence AI policy and regulation
What's the story
Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) lab, has filed documents to create a new political action committee (PAC), called AnthroPAC. The move comes as part of the company's strategy to invest heavily in shaping policy and regulation in the AI industry. The PAC will contribute to both major political parties during upcoming midterm elections, including current lawmakers and emerging political figures.
Funding sources
Funding and leadership of the new PAC
The newly established AnthroPAC will be funded through voluntary employee contributions, each capped at $5,000. The PAC's formation was officially registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), with a statement of organization signed by Allison Rossi, Anthropic's treasurer. This move marks a significant step for Anthropic as it joins other AI companies in actively participating in political activities to influence policy decisions at both state and federal levels.
Industry trend
AI industry's political contributions surge
The AI industry, which includes both rivals and allies, has been increasingly investing in political campaigns to push for their preferred policies. According to The Washington Post, AI companies have already poured a staggering $185 million into midterm races. In February, The New York Times reported on Public First, a new Super PAC that had reportedly received at least $20 million from Anthropic and funded ad campaigns promoting a specific regulatory agenda.
Ongoing litigation
Ongoing legal battle with the Defense Department
Anthropic's political engagement comes as the company is embroiled in a contentious legal dispute with the Defense Department. The conflict began earlier this year over the government's use of Anthropic's AI models and whether there should be any guidelines for such usage. This ongoing litigation highlights the complex relationship between tech companies, government regulations, and ethical considerations in AI development and deployment.