Key facts
- Anthropic disabled access to its Fable and Mythos AI models after receiving a federal export control order.
- The order required Anthropic to block foreign nationals from using the models.
- The move was prompted by concerns about potential "jailbreaking" of the Fable model's guardrails.
- Critics argue the action signals an "ad hoc" approach to AI regulation by the White House.
- AI policy advocates warn this could lead to the US surrendering its lead in AI development.
Anthropic disabled access to its newest Fable and Mythos AI models on Friday, following a federal export control order that mandated the company block foreign nationals from using them. This rare move has surprised the tech industry and raised concerns about the extent of government influence on AI development and release.
Brad Carson, president of Americans for Responsible Innovation, stated that "ad hoc executive actions replace clear standards, America risks surrendering its lead in AI and allowing genuinely dangerous technology to be deployed." Anthropic had initially opted not to release the Mythos model publicly due to concerns about its potential to enhance hacking capabilities. Fable 5 was released with safeguards, while a new version of Mythos was provided to a select group of cyber-defenders with fewer restrictions.