Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has invited US-based artificial intelligence company Anthropic to expand its operations in the UK capital, while criticising the US administration for attempting to pressure the firm over its AI safety policies.
In a letter addressed to Anthropic’s chief executive Dario Amodei, Khan praised the company for maintaining ethical safeguards that restrict the use of its AI systems for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.
“It is extremely concerning to see this kind of behaviour, which is a clear attempt to intimidate and punish Anthropic for refusing to remove ethical safeguards,” Khan wrote, applauding the company for standing firm despite political pressure.
The mayor added that Anthropic’s commitment to safety and governance reflects the standards he believes should guide the development of advanced artificial intelligence. According to Khan, innovation in AI must be accompanied by strong safeguards and public trust.
Khan also highlighted London’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for responsible AI development. He said the city offers a “stable, proportionate, and pro-innovation environment” where companies developing frontier technologies can grow while maintaining strong ethical frameworks.
“I would welcome the opportunity to talk to you not only about what AI safeguards you think are needed but also about how London could provide an even more significant location and platform for the future of Anthropic,” Khan wrote, offering to meet Amodei during his next visit to the UK.
The invitation comes amid rising tensions between Anthropic and the US government. The Pentagon recently designated the company a supply chain risk after Amodei declined to provide US defence agencies unrestricted access to its AI tools, including its flagship model, Claude.
Anthropic has said it plans to challenge the designation in court. Meanwhile, Donald Trump stated that federal agencies would be directed to stop using the company’s technology.
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said that discussions have already taken place this week with senior leaders from Anthropic regarding potential expansion in London. The outreach signals the city’s intention to attract leading AI companies that prioritise responsible development and governance.
The development also underscores the growing geopolitical debate around artificial intelligence, particularly concerning the balance between national security interests and ethical safeguards in advanced AI systems.
