AI Company Anthropic Gives Money to Political Group

Anthropic, a company that makes artificial intelligence, has given $20 million to a political group called Public First. This group can spend money to help or hurt political candidates. This is happening as the company is competing with another AI company, OpenAI.
By Newsroom | Artificial Intelligence, Politics |

The artificial intelligence industry is seeing a new form of competition emerge, extending beyond technological development into political influence. Anthropic has donated $20 million to a Super PAC, an organization that can accept unlimited donations to advocate for or against political candidates. This move signifies a direct engagement in the political arena, coinciding with the upcoming midterm elections, and marks a significant escalation in the rivalry between Anthropic and OpenAI.

Background and Timeline

The emergence of Super PACs associated with artificial intelligence companies indicates a growing trend of technology firms participating in political campaigns.

Anthropic Donates $20 Million to Super PAC Operation to Counter OpenAI - 1

  • February 2026: Anthropic donates $20 million to a Super PAC, identified as Public First. This organization is a nonprofit that does not publicly disclose its donors but can fund television advertisements supporting candidates.

  • September 2025: Anthropic received a Pentagon contract to develop national security AI capabilities, a move that drew scrutiny from former Trump administration officials. The company has also aligned with the White House's AI Action Plan, with former Biden administration officials now in key policy roles within Anthropic.

  • Prior to 2026: OpenAI, previously a nonprofit, has been restricted from making direct political contributions.

  • Ongoing: The rivalry between Anthropic and OpenAI centers on differing views regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence, specifically concerning safety guardrails for powerful AI technologies.

Political Alignment and Funding

The formation and funding of Super PACs by AI companies represent a strategic approach to shaping policy and public perception.

Read More: Elon Musk Wants to Build AI Factory on the Moon

Anthropic Donates $20 Million to Super PAC Operation to Counter OpenAI - 2

  • Anthropic's Stance: Generally favors politicians who support more regulation for the AI industry.

  • OpenAI's Position: While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, the context suggests a contrast to Anthropic's regulatory preferences. OpenAI's past structure as a nonprofit limited its direct political funding capabilities.

  • Super PAC Function: Organizations like Public First operate under "dark money" rules, allowing them to shield donor identities while actively participating in political advocacy. This allows for financial influence without immediate public accountability for the sources of funding.

National Security and Policy Implications

Anthropic's increasing involvement in national security initiatives and its political contributions raise questions about the intersection of advanced technology, government contracts, and electoral politics.

Anthropic Donates $20 Million to Super PAC Operation to Counter OpenAI - 3

  • Pentagon Contract: In July 2025, Anthropic secured a contract with the Pentagon for AI development related to national security.

  • White House Alignment: The company has publicly supported the White House's AI Action Plan, and its policy team includes former officials from the Biden administration, such as Tarun Chhabra and Elizabeth Kelly.

  • Scrutiny: The involvement of Anthropic, a federal AI vendor, with political funding, particularly given its national security work, has prompted concern from some former Trump administration officials. They have raised questions regarding potential national security implications.

Dueling Super PACs and Election Influence

The establishment of Super PACs by competing AI firms signifies a new frontier in the tech industry's engagement with the electoral process.

Read More: Trump Shares Post Showing Obamas as Apes, Then Deletes It After Criticism

  • Competitive Landscape: The creation of parallel Super PACs by Anthropic and OpenAI effectively inaugurates a political contest between the two companies, with the midterm elections serving as the immediate arena.

  • Broader Trends: This development aligns with a larger trend of significant financial contributions to Super PACs and campaigns across various sectors, including AI and cryptocurrency, as observed in past election cycles. For instance, groups tied to Elon Musk and Donald Trump have also been prominent players in political funding.

  • "Dark Money" Concerns: The utilization of "dark money" nonprofits, which do not disclose donors, for political advertising is a notable aspect of the current campaign finance landscape, as highlighted by reporting on significant sums flowing into elections.

Expert Analysis

"The donation effectively kicks off a new conflict between the rivals, with this year’s midterm elections as the battleground."

Read More: AI Gives Simple Answers About Canadiens' Season

This statement underscores the direct competitive relationship between Anthropic and OpenAI, now manifesting in the political sphere. The use of Super PACs by these companies suggests a strategic intent to influence policy debates and legislative outcomes through electoral channels.

"Anthropic generally favors politicians who are more pro-regulation than OpenAI does."

This observation points to a fundamental ideological divergence between the two AI firms concerning industry oversight. This difference in perspective on regulation is a key driver for their engagement in political advocacy, aiming to support candidates who align with their respective viewpoints.

Conclusion

Anthropic's $20 million contribution to the Public First Super PAC marks a significant entry into direct political campaigning by a leading artificial intelligence company. This action not only escalates the rivalry between Anthropic and OpenAI but also reflects a broader trend of technology firms leveraging political finance to shape policy. The underlying dispute appears to be rooted in differing philosophies on AI regulation, with Anthropic advocating for stricter oversight and using its newly formed political arm to support this stance. The timing, coinciding with midterm elections, suggests an immediate objective to influence legislative bodies. Furthermore, Anthropic's role as a Pentagon contractor and its ties to current and former administration officials introduce layers of complexity concerning national security and governmental influence, which have drawn attention and raised concerns. The reliance on "dark money" structures for this political engagement highlights ongoing debates about transparency in campaign finance.

Sources

Read More: Government Funding for DHS May End Soon

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Anthropic give money to a political group?
Anthropic gave $20 million to a group called Public First. This is to help support politicians who agree with Anthropic's ideas about AI rules.
Q: What is a Super PAC?
A Super PAC is a group that can collect a lot of money to support or oppose political candidates.
Q: Is this related to OpenAI?
Yes, Anthropic and OpenAI are rivals in the AI field. This move seems to be part of their competition.
Q: Does this affect national security?
Anthropic has a contract with the military. Some people are worried about how this political money might affect national security work.