Anthropic is intensifying its political activities through a new political action committee

Anthropic has filed documents to create a new political action committee — a sign that the AI ​​Lab, like its peers, is devoting significant resources toward influencing policy and regulation.

AnthroPAC plans to make contributions to both parties during the midterm elections, including incumbent D.C. legislators and rising political candidates. The political action committee will be funded through voluntary employee contributions up to a maximum of $5,000, Bloomberg reported. The Statement of Organization filed with the Federal Election Commission includes the signature of Allison Rossi, Treasurer of Anthropic. TechCrunch has reached out to Anthropic for more information.

AI companies, both companions and competitors in a new and often turbulent industry, are increasingly seeking to push their preferred policies at the state and federal levels. The Washington Post reported last month that AI companies have already contributed a whopping $185 million to the midterm races. In February, The New York Times also reported on Public First, a new super PAC that reportedly received at least $20 million from Anthropic, which funded ad campaigns supporting a particular organizing agenda.

Anthropic’s political activities have escalated as the company continues to be embroiled in a nasty legal battle with the Department of Defense. The dispute erupted earlier this year over the government’s use of Anthropic’s AI models and what guidelines (if any) should exist for such use.