Musk Calls Anthropic 'Misanthropic and Evil'
Elon Musk Criticizes Anthropic, Calls It "Misanthropic and Evil"
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has made a strong public statement against AI company Anthropic, calling it “misanthropic and evil.” His comments came after the firm announced a major funding round, which raised $30 billion at a valuation of $380 billion. Musk, who leads his own AI company xAI, accused Anthropic’s AI of having negative views toward specific groups, including “Whites & Asians, especially Chinese, heterosexuals and men.”
He did not provide any specific examples to back up these claims, but his remarks were clear and direct. “This is misanthropic and evil,” he said. “Fix it. Frankly, I don’t think there is anything you can do to escape the inevitable irony of Anthropic ending up being Misanthropic. You were doomed to this fate when you chose your name.”
The timing of Musk’s comments was significant, as they followed the announcement of Anthropic’s latest funding round. The Hill has reached out to the company for further comment, but no response has been released yet.
Musk's History of Feuds with AI Rivals
Musk has a history of clashing with other AI companies, particularly OpenAI, where he once played a key role. He has frequently criticized OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, even going as far as suing him and the company in 2024. Musk accused Altman and OpenAI of abandoning the firm’s founding values and manipulating him into investing in ChatGPT.
In 2018, Musk left OpenAI’s board and founded xAI in 2023. Recently, xAI has undergone a major restructuring, with Musk announcing the company’s merger with SpaceX. Several co-founders and employees have since left the company, and Musk has stated that he has been reorganizing the firm in recent days.
Anthropic's Stance on AI Regulation
Anthropic, which was founded with a focus on AI safety, has often found itself at odds with certain political groups. The company has supported some state-level AI regulations, most notably a California bill requiring major AI firms to disclose safety information. This law was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) in September.
However, the White House has taken a different approach, advocating for light-touch regulation on AI and opposing state efforts to impose stricter controls. In response, White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks criticized Anthropic, calling it “woke.” In response, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stated that “Anthropic, the administration, and leaders across the political spectrum want the same thing.”
Political Engagement and New Board Members
As AI-related organizations increase their spending on the upcoming midterm elections, Anthropic has also taken steps to support AI safeguards. On Thursday, the company announced a $20 million donation to Public First Action, a group launched last year to promote AI safety initiatives.
In addition, Anthropic announced on Friday that Chris Liddell, who previously served as deputy White House chief of staff under Trump and worked as CFO of Microsoft and General Motors, would join its board of directors.
“Chris has spent his career at the intersection of technology, public service, and governance—and has a track record of helping organizations get those things right when the stakes are highest,” said Daniela Amodei, co-founder and president of Anthropic. “As AI’s impact on society grows, that kind of judgment and experience is exactly what we seek on our board.”
Ongoing Debate Over AI Ethics and Governance
The debate over AI ethics and governance continues to intensify as companies like Anthropic and xAI push forward with their respective strategies. While Musk has taken a more confrontational stance, others are working to establish frameworks for responsible AI development.
With the rapid evolution of AI technology, the role of regulation, corporate responsibility, and public trust will remain central to the conversation. As more companies enter the space, the need for clear guidelines and ethical standards becomes increasingly important.