Leading AI safety firm Anthropic has voiced strong support for the upcoming Anthropic AI chip export controls proposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce—but the OpenAI rival is urging key adjustments ahead of the policy’s May 15 implementation.
In a blog post released Wednesday, Anthropic publicly endorsed the Biden administration’s “Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion,” which outlines strict AI chip export guidelines meant to curb Chinese access to advanced AI technologies. While expressing approval of the core goals, Anthropic suggested refinements that would make the policy more effective in execution and enforcement.
“We strongly support the U.S. government’s efforts to maintain national security and responsible AI development,” the company stated, aligning itself with the broader objective of maintaining American dominance in the global AI race.
The Anthropic AI chip export controls proposal categorizes global nations into three tiers. Tier 3, which includes China and Russia, would be under the most stringent restrictions. Tier 2 countries like Mexico and Portugal would face a newly introduced cap on chip purchases, while Tier 1 countries such as Japan and South Korea would be unaffected.
Anthropic Backs Controls—But Pushes for Tighter Tier 2 Rules
Unlike Nvidia, which sharply criticized the proposal in January as “unprecedented and misguided,” Anthropic welcomed the framework and called for even stricter controls on Tier 2 countries. The company urged the government to lower the number of chips Tier 2 nations can purchase without oversight and instead funnel those purchases through government-to-government agreements to reduce illicit trade and boost accountability.
The San Francisco-based company also emphasized the need for increased federal funding to ensure robust enforcement of these controls, suggesting that underfunding could undermine the policy’s impact.
Anthropic’s Pro-Regulation Stance Is No Surprise
Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei has long advocated for cautious AI deployment. In January, he penned an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal outlining why he believes stronger chip export controls are vital to protecting both U.S. technological leadership and global safety.
“We need smart regulation—not just to stay ahead of adversaries, but to ensure AI evolves in a way that benefits society,” Amodei wrote.
As tensions grow between innovation and regulation in the AI sector, Anthropic AI chip export controls may signal a growing rift between tech companies willing to accept guardrails and those pushing back against policy interference.
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