Anthropic has filed documents to create a new political action committee. This shows that AI Labs, like its peers, is devoting significant resources to influencing policy and regulation.
AnthroPAC plans to make donations to both political parties during the midterm elections, including current D.C. lawmakers and emerging political candidates. The PAC will be funded by voluntary employee contributions of up to $5,000, Bloomberg reported. The organizational statement filed with the Federal Election Commission includes the signature of Anthropic’s Treasurer Allison Rossi. TechCrunch has reached out to Anthropic for more information.
AI companies, allies and competitors in a new and often disruptive industry, are increasingly trying to push their preferred policies at the state and federal level. The Washington Post reported last month that AI companies have already donated a whopping $185 million to the midterm elections. In February, the New York Times also reported on a new super PAC, Public First. The organization allegedly received at least $20 million from Anthropic to fund advertising campaigns supporting certain regulatory policies.
Anthropic’s political activities have increased as the company continues to be embroiled in a messy legal battle with the Department of Defense. The controversy erupted earlier this year over the government’s use of Anthropic’s AI model and what guidelines, if any, should exist regarding its use.
