Anthropic, one of the leading AI companies, is ramping up its lobbying efforts as it navigates a contentious relationship with the U.S. government, highlighted by a $200 million contract dispute with the Department of Defense over AI development for national security. CEO Dario Amodei’s calls for the tech industry to prioritize policy over politics face challenges, particularly amid significant government contracts. In 2025, Anthropic and rival OpenAI invested heavily in lobbying efforts, with Anthropic endorsing California’s AI safety bill SB 53, contrasting OpenAI’s opposition to it. Both companies are also advocating for faster federal permitting and tax incentives to accelerate data center construction, which are crucial for scaling their AI capabilities.
Anthropic ramps up lobbying efforts as AI firms grapple with regulation
