Anthropic CEO Engages White House Chief of Staff on New AI Model Mythos Amid Trump Administration Tensions

Washington: On Friday, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss the company’s new AI model, Mythos. This model has garnered significant attention from the federal government due to its potential implications for national security and the economy.

A White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the administration is actively engaging with advanced AI laboratories regarding their models and the security of software. The official emphasized that any new technology intended for federal use would undergo a thorough evaluation period.

Following the meeting, the White House characterized the discussions as productive and constructive, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and the importance of balancing innovation with safety. Anthropic confirmed that the meeting involved senior administration officials and focused on how the company and the U.S. government could collaborate on shared priorities, including cybersecurity, maintaining America’s leadership in AI, and ensuring AI safety. The company expressed eagerness to continue these discussions.

Tensions with the Trump Administration

This meeting occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the Trump administration and Anthropic, a company known for its focus on AI safety. Anthropic has advocated for regulatory measures to mitigate risks associated with AI development while maximizing its benefits for national security and the economy.

President Donald Trump had previously attempted to prevent federal agencies from utilizing Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude, due to a contract dispute with the Pentagon. In a February social media post, Trump stated that the administration “will not do business with them again.” When asked about the meeting during a recent visit to Arizona, Trump claimed he had “no idea” about it.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also sought to label Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a move that has no precedent against a U.S. company. Anthropic has challenged this designation in two federal courts, seeking assurances that the Pentagon would not employ its technology in fully autonomous weapons or for surveillance of American citizens. Hegseth maintained that the company must permit any uses deemed lawful by the Pentagon.

In March, U.S. District Judge Rita Lin ruled against the enforcement of Trump’s directive that ordered federal agencies to cease using Anthropic products.

The ‘Strikingly Capable’ Mythos Model

Anthropic unveiled its new Mythos model on April 7, describing it as “strikingly capable.” The company has limited its use to select customers due to its ability to outperform human cybersecurity experts in identifying and exploiting computer vulnerabilities.

While some industry experts have questioned whether Anthropic’s claims about the capabilities of its AI technology are exaggerated, even some of its critics acknowledge that Mythos may represent a significant advancement in the field. David Sacks, a former AI and crypto czar at the White House, urged people to take Anthropic’s claims seriously. He noted that as coding models become more advanced, they are increasingly capable of identifying vulnerabilities, which could lead to the development of more sophisticated exploits.

The potential risks and benefits of Mythos have also drawn attention beyond U.S. borders. The United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute evaluated the model and concluded that it represents a “step up” from previous iterations, which were already improving rapidly. The institute noted that “Mythos Preview can exploit systems with weak security posture, and it is likely that more models with these capabilities will be developed.”

Engaging with European Markets

Anthropic is also in discussions with the European Union regarding its AI models, including advanced versions that have yet to be released in Europe, according to European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier.

When announcing Mythos, Anthropic revealed plans for an initiative called Project Glasswing, which aims to unite major tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, alongside firms like JPMorgan Chase. The goal is to safeguard critical software from potential risks that the new model could pose to public safety, national security, and the economy.

Jack Clark, co-founder and policy chief at Anthropic, stated at the Semafor World Economy conference that the company is releasing Mythos to a select group of important organizations to help them identify vulnerabilities. He clarified that while Mythos is advanced, it is not unique. According to Clark, similar systems will emerge from other companies in the coming months, and open-weight models with comparable capabilities are expected from China within a year to a year and a half.

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Published on 2026-04-18 09:47:00 • By the Editorial Desk