Anthropic warns AI could pose catastrophic risk ahead of US listing

Anthropic has warned that artificial intelligence could present “catastrophic or existential risks to humanity” as it prepares a blockbuster US stock market listing.

The AI firm, developer of the Claude chatbot, said in a filing on Monday that it expects a valuation exceeding that of SpaceX’s $1.8 trillion debut. It will list on the Nasdaq under the symbol ANT, though the number of shares, price range and exact date have not been disclosed.

In the filing Anthropic noted concerns raised by policymakers, regulators, researchers and its own staff about the potential misuse, replication, weaponisation or high‑autonomy operation of advanced AI systems. It warned that without appropriate safeguards, oversight and security measures, such systems could pose catastrophic risks.

Financially, the company reported first‑half‑year losses of more than $80.7 bn (£60.5 bn) but said it holds $112.4 bn in cash or equivalents and generated $16.3 bn in revenue over the same period.

Founded five years ago by chief executive Dario Amodei, his sister Daniela Amodei and five other co‑founders, Anthropic will be the first pure‑play AI company to go public, making it a test case for the sector’s future. Its main rival, OpenAI, has also signalled plans to list early next year.

The filing also highlighted operational risks, including reliance on a limited set of cloud providers, Taiwanese chipmakers under heavy demand and US‑based data centres, as well as potential regulatory action over harms such as suicide and child safety.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Ramon Perucho / Pexels.