Anthropic Refused to Help Build Autonomous Weapons — Now the UK Wants It

TLDR

• Britain is trying to attract Anthropic to expand its presence in the UK
• Proposals include a London office expansion and a dual stock listing
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office is backing the effort
• The US blacklisted Anthropic over its refusal to let Claude be used for surveillance or autonomous weapons
• A US judge has temporarily blocked the blacklisting, and a second lawsuit is pending

The UK government is actively courting Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI chatbot, according to the Financial Times. Britain wants the company to grow its footprint in the country, and sees a window of opportunity following a dispute between Anthropic and the US Department of Defense.

Proposals from the British government include expanding Anthropic’s existing London office and pursuing a dual stock listing. These plans are being developed by the UK’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office has backed the department’s efforts. The proposals are expected to be put directly to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei when he visits the UK in late May.

Neither Anthropic nor the UK’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology responded to requests for comment from Reuters.

Why the US and Anthropic Fell Out

The US government designated Anthropic a national-security supply-chain risk. The reason cited was Anthropic’s refusal to allow its AI chatbot Claude to be used for US military surveillance or autonomous weapons systems.

That designation placed the company on a US blacklist. Being blacklisted can restrict a company’s ability to work with US government agencies and partners.

Anthropic pushed back legally. A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the blacklisting from taking effect while the case moves through the courts.

The company has also filed a second lawsuit challenging the supply-chain risk designation specifically. That case is still under review.

What the UK Is Offering

Britain’s approach reflects a broader push to attract major AI companies following global uncertainty around US tech policy.

A dual stock listing would mean Anthropic shares could be traded on a UK exchange alongside any future US listing. That would give British investors direct access to the company.

An expanded London office would increase Anthropic’s physical presence in Europe. The UK already has a growing AI sector, and the government has made attracting AI investment a stated priority.

The FT report did not specify whether Anthropic has responded positively or negatively to the UK’s overtures.

Dario Amodei’s visit to the UK in late May is expected to be the key moment when the proposals are formally presented.

The temporary court block on the US blacklist means Anthropic’s legal situation remains unresolved. The outcome of the two pending lawsuits will likely shape the company’s next moves.

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