Anthropic is urging US states to introduce stronger rules for the most advanced AI systems, arguing that recent transparency laws in California and New York are already insufficient as the technology develops rapidly. The company supports requirements such as independent safety audits and enforcement powers for state authorities, saying these measures are needed to reduce potentially catastrophic risks including financial disruption and mass casualties.

The stance is unusual for a startup valued at nearly $1 trillion and has prompted accusations that Anthropic is using regulation to protect its market position. The company rejects this, saying the proposed laws target only large AI developers—generally firms spending hundreds of millions of dollars on AI and earning more than $500 million annually—while Congress has failed to pass national AI legislation, leaving states to lead.