The UK is moving to deepen Anthropic’s presence in the country, positioning itself as an attractive base for the AI firm amid growing tensions with the Pentagon, the Financial Times reported.
Britain’s outreach comes as it doubles down on AI safety, governance, and responsible deployment, while also maintaining a pro-innovation stance aimed at attracting frontier AI firms.
The UK has recently announced plans to launch a 40 million pound ($53 million) state-backed research lab focused on advanced AI research.
The initiative has backing from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with proposals expected to be presented to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei during a planned visit to the UK in late May.
The UK government also previously signed a memorandum of understanding with the California-based company covering scientific collaboration and secure AI supply chains.
Discussions reportedly include expanding Anthropic’s London footprint and exploring a potential dual stock market listing. Anthropic currently employs around 200 people in the UK, including approximately 60 researchers.
“I believe that London can provide a stable, proportionate and pro-innovation environment in which this kind of AI can flourish,” said London mayor Sadiq Khan.
High-Stakes AI Dispute
Anthropic is currently at odds with the Pentagon over how its AI models can be used in military operations.
The company has refused to allow its Claude platform to be involved in certain military applications, including mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth already designated the company a “supply chain risk,” triggering a 180-day deadline to remove its AI products from all military units.
