'Anthropic doesn't care about Europe' — EU officials angered as AI giant sends junior staffer to testify on safety

According to a Politico Europe report, EU officials are frustrated with Anthropic's approach to European regulatory engagement, after the AI giant sent only a junior staff member to testify at a key hearing on AI safety. One official was quoted saying directly that "Anthropic doesn't care about Europe."

The hearing covered AI safety topics that are significant for the European Union's ongoing efforts to establish its AI regulatory framework. The EU is advancing implementation of the AI Act, and safety testimony from top AI companies carries weight in shaping legislation.

Anthropic is currently one of the world's most valuable AI companies, with a valuation approaching $1 trillion. However, its approach to engaging with European regulators appears to lack high-level resource allocation, contrasting with other AI giants that typically send senior executives or core experts to testify at crucial hearings.

This incident could have practical implications for Anthropic's operations in Europe. As the EU defines compliance standards for high-risk AI systems, a perception of "non-cooperation" could lead to stricter regulatory scrutiny down the line.

Anthropic has not yet issued an official response to the reports. However, industry observers believe that as the global AI regulatory landscape grows increasingly complex, major AI companies need to build dedicated government relations and regulatory affairs teams to navigate compliance requirements across different markets.

The controversy also reflects a broader tension between AI globalization and local regulatory regimes. How AI companies balance global expansion with respect for regional regulatory systems will remain an ongoing challenge.