Anthropic CEO Meets White House Chief of Staff to Discuss New AI Model Mythos Amid Rising Tensions with Trump Administration
Washington: On Friday, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles engaged in discussions with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei regarding the company’s new artificial intelligence model, Mythos. This model has garnered significant attention from the federal government due to its potential implications for national security and the economy.
A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the administration is actively engaging with advanced AI laboratories to evaluate their models and software security. The official emphasized that any new technology intended for federal use would undergo a thorough evaluation period.
Following the meeting, the White House described the discussions as productive and constructive, focusing on opportunities for collaboration while aiming to balance innovation with safety. Anthropic confirmed that the meeting involved senior administration officials and addressed how the San Francisco-based company and the U.S. government could collaborate on shared priorities, including cybersecurity and AI safety.
Issues with Trump Over Public Safety Concerns
The meeting took place amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and Anthropic, a company that has advocated for safety measures in AI development. Anthropic aims to implement safeguards to minimize risks while maximizing the economic and national security benefits of AI for the United States.
President Donald Trump previously attempted to prohibit federal agencies from utilizing Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude, due to a contract dispute with the Pentagon. In a February social media post, Trump stated that the administration “will not do business with them again!” When asked about the meeting with Anthropic on Friday while in Arizona, Trump claimed he had “no idea.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also sought to classify Anthropic as a supply chain risk, an unprecedented action against a U.S. company. Anthropic has challenged this designation in two federal courts, seeking assurances that the Pentagon would not employ its technology for fully autonomous weapons or surveillance of American citizens. Hegseth asserted that the company must permit any lawful uses deemed necessary by the Pentagon.
In March, U.S. District Judge Rita Lin ruled against enforcing Trump’s directive that ordered all federal agencies to cease using Anthropic products.
The ‘Strikingly Capable’ New Model Mythos
Anthropic announced its new Mythos model on April 7, describing it as “strikingly capable.” The company has limited its use to select customers due to its advanced ability to identify and exploit computer vulnerabilities, surpassing human cybersecurity experts.
While some industry experts have questioned whether Anthropic’s claims about the model’s capabilities are exaggerated, even critics acknowledge that Mythos may signify a significant advancement in AI technology. David Sacks, a former White House AI and crypto czar, remarked that people should “take this seriously.” He noted that as coding models evolve, they become increasingly adept at identifying vulnerabilities, which could lead to more sophisticated exploits.
The potential benefits and risks associated with Mythos have also attracted international attention. The United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute evaluated the model and deemed it a “step up” from previous iterations, which were already improving rapidly. The institute reported that “Mythos Preview can exploit systems with weak security posture, and it is likely that more models with these capabilities will be developed.”
Exploring EU Markets
Anthropic is also in discussions with the European Union regarding its AI models, including advanced versions that have not yet been released in Europe, according to European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier.
When announcing Mythos, Anthropic revealed plans for an initiative called Project Glasswing, which aims to unite major tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, along with firms like JPMorgan Chase. The initiative seeks to secure critical software against potential threats posed by the new model to public safety, national security, and the economy.
Jack Clark, Anthropic’s co-founder and policy chief, stated at the Semafor World Economy conference that the company is releasing Mythos to a select group of important organizations for vulnerability assessment. He added that while Mythos is ahead of the curve, it is not a “special model.” Clark predicted that similar systems would emerge from other companies within months, and that open-weight models with comparable capabilities could be developed in China within a year to a year and a half.
As reported by www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-04-18 09:47:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk