AI powerhouse Anthropic, creators of the Claude chatbot, is facing accusations of mirroring the controversial regulatory strategy once employed by disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, according to a review of public records. Both entities have reportedly funneled significant funds into Washington influence campaigns while publicly advocating for government regulation to enhance safety in their respective industries. Critics argue this approach, while differing in funding channels—with Anthropic engaging in disclosed lobbying and advocacy versus Bankman-Fried’s later-revealed illegal campaign contributions—serves to strengthen their competitive positions. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned of dire national security and public safety risks from advanced AI, calling for mandatory testing and auditing, and the company has spent millions lobbying and supporting pro-regulation groups. This push coincides with the Biden administration’s focus on AI development and a voluntary safety agreement signed by tech executives. Similarly, Bankman-Fried advocated for crypto regulation under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, presenting it as a customer protection measure and supporting legislation like the DCCPA, while allegedly making illegal campaign contributions to advance his agenda. Some in the crypto industry opposed the DCCPA, arguing it favored centralized exchanges like FTX, and prosecutors later alleged widespread illegal donations. Bankman-Fried himself later characterized his public stance on regulation as mere ‘PR’ after FTX’s collapse. Critics like former Trump advisor David Sacks accuse Anthropic of a ‘sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering’ that harms startups, drawing parallels to arguments that the DCCPA would have disadvantaged smaller crypto competitors. California’s SB 53, supported by Anthropic, has also been criticized for potentially harming less established AI labs, though Anthropic maintains its safety commitment is genuine and claims exemptions protect smaller companies. The comparison extends to public messaging, with Anthropic’s warnings about AI threats echoing Bankman-Fried’s pre-collapse rhetoric on crypto safety, and some observers drawing parallels between Anthropic’s statements on unreleased models and Bankman-Fried’s evolving narratives during FTX’s downfall.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
