For nearly two weeks, high-ranking team members at Anthropic have been engaged in discussions with the Trump Administration, aiming to lift a highly restrictive export control directive. According to a new report from Wired, these talks initially faltered, partly due to the involvement of CEO Dario Amodei. However, since Amodei stepped back from the negotiations, the situation has reportedly improved significantly.
Per Wired, the White House is now speaking with Tom Brown, another Anthropic co-founder whose LinkedIn title simply lists him as a co-founder. An anonymous source involved in the calls told Wired, “Tom Brown is not being a weirdo like Dario and can actually engage.” Amodei was described as difficult to deal with and a poor listener. Past reporting has also alleged that Amodei has a tendency to “rant” and “cannot control his emotions.” Those familiar with Amodei’s public appearances note his queasy facial expressions, trumpet-like speaking voice, and habit of waving his arms while speaking, often tilting his head toward the ground.
In contrast, Brown presents a warmer, more personable demeanor. He speaks in a softer, steadier voice and seems to smile easily. Brown is working alongside Sarah Heck, Anthropic’s Head of Public Policy, whose communication style is enthusiastic yet disciplined and cautious — attributes well-suited for her role.
The core issue involves Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5 AI model, the most advanced frontier model the company makes available to consumers. Anthropic classifies Fable 5 as a “Mythos-class” model, sharing core technology with Claude Mythos Preview, which Anthropic deemed too dangerous for public access. Fable 5 was supposedly stripped of capabilities that could pose a cybersecurity threat, but multiple sources claim that Amazon researchers alerted the White House shortly after its release that jailbreaks could easily remove these safeguards. Even before learning about the jailbreak vulnerability, the White House was already concerned that potential bad actors affiliated with Chinese interests had accessed the model. Consequently, an export control order was issued about three days after Fable 5’s release, requiring Anthropic to prevent non-U.S. nationals from using Fable 5 and another exclusive model, Mythos 5.
Anthropic pulled Fable 5 offline on June 12, and talks with the White House began shortly thereafter. The negotiations are now reportedly on track, with Brown and Heck leading the discussions. The White House is expected to make a decision soon, potentially allowing Fable 5 to be turned back on for public use.
Background on Anthropic and Dario Amodei
Anthropic was founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, including Dario Amodei and his sister Daniela Amodei, with a focus on AI safety and alignment. Dario Amodei, a former vice president of research at OpenAI, has been a prominent figure in the AI community, known for his strong opinions on the existential risks posed by advanced AI. He has often argued for stringent regulation and caution in deploying frontier models. However, his abrasive style has occasionally strained relationships with policymakers and industry peers.
Tom Brown, another co-founder, played a key role in developing the GPT-3 architecture at OpenAI before co-founding Anthropic. He is less publicly vocal than Amodei but is respected for his technical expertise and collaborative approach. Sarah Heck, who previously worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce, brings government experience to Anthropic’s public policy team.
The Implications of Export Controls on AI
The export control order on Fable 5 reflects growing government concerns about the national security implications of advanced AI models. The White House is particularly worried about technology transfer to rival nations, especially China. The Biden and Trump administrations have both pursued measures to restrict the export of cutting-edge AI chips and models, though the Trump administration has taken a more aggressive stance on certain Chinese tech companies.
If the restrictions are lifted, Fable 5 could become widely available again, boosting Anthropic’s commercial prospects. The company is competing with OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft in the rapidly growing AI market. Analysts estimate that Anthropic’s valuation has risen sharply, and the success of Claude Fable 5 is critical to its revenue goals.
However, lifting the controls may spark debate among AI safety advocates who worry that advanced models could be misused. Anthropic has invested heavily in “constitutional AI” techniques to make its models safer, but critics argue that these safeguards are insufficient. The White House’s decision will likely set a precedent for how future frontier models are regulated.
Meanwhile, the leadership change in negotiations appears to be a strategic move by Anthropic to improve its relationship with the White House. Whether Dario Amodei’s removal from talks is temporary or permanent remains unclear, but sources suggest that the company is keen to avoid further delays. With Tom Brown’s more diplomatic approach and Sarah Heck’s policy expertise, Anthropic may see a favorable outcome soon.
In related developments, OpenAI has also faced scrutiny over its export controls and government access policies. The broader AI industry is watching these negotiations closely, as they could shape future regulations on model deployment and international data flows.
Source:Gizmodo News