Anthropic co-founder confirms the company briefed the Trump adminstration on Mythos

Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic and its Head of Public Benefit, has revealed that the AI firm briefed the Trump administration regarding its controversial Mythos model. This model, which was unveiled last week, is considered so potentially hazardous that it will not be made publicly available due to its advanced cybersecurity features. During an interview at the Semafor World Economy summit, Clark elaborated on the complexities of Anthropic's relationship with the U.S. government, particularly in light of the ongoing lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DOD). Earlier this year, Anthropic took legal action against the DOD after being categorized as a supply-chain risk. The company has raised concerns about the military’s demand for unrestricted access to its AI systems, which could be utilized for purposes such as mass surveillance and the development of autonomous weapons. At the summit, Clark downplayed the government’s classification of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, describing it as merely a “narrow contracting dispute.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector innovators, especially when it comes to technologies that may impact national security. "Our stance is that it is essential for the government to be informed about these advancements, and we need to explore new avenues for collaboration with a private sector that is pioneering transformative technologies," said Clark. He confirmed that discussions about Mythos with officials will extend to future models as well. Recent reports indicated that Trump administration officials have been urging major banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley, to evaluate the Mythos model. In the interview, Clark also touched upon broader implications of AI on society, such as its potential effects on unemployment and education. While Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei has expressed concerns that AI advancements could lead to unprecedented job losses, Clark offered a more tempered view. He noted that the company has only begun to see “some potential weakness in early graduate employment” in certain sectors, but affirmed that Anthropic is prepared for any significant employment shifts that may arise. When asked about the educational paths college students should consider in light of AI's influence, Clark advised that students should focus on majors that incorporate a synthesis of diverse subjects and analytical thinking. He remarked, "AI can provide access to a vast array of expertise across different fields, but what truly matters is knowing the right questions to ask and understanding how to integrate insights from various disciplines."