The White House ordered Anthropic to revoke South Korea-based SK Telecom's access to its most advanced AI model, Claude Mythos, over allegations of ties to China, according to Wired and TechMeme. This directive came days before Anthropic took Mythos 5 offline, escalating the controversy surrounding the telecom giant's involvement.
SK Telecom, a major Korean telecommunications firm, had been a partner in deploying Anthropic's cutting-edge technology. The White House's intervention signals growing scrutiny of AI exports, even to allied nations, when potential connections to China are suspected. The move highlights the Biden administration's tightening grip on advanced AI distribution.
The order specifically targeted access to Claude Mythos, one of Anthropic's most capable AI systems. No additional specifics on the alleged ties or the volume of data involved were disclosed in the reports, leaving the exact scope of the restrictions unclear.
This action could reshape how AI companies manage international partnerships, particularly with firms in regions viewed as gateways to China. Industry analysts warn it may chill collaboration between U.S. AI labs and foreign telecoms, complicating global AI development efforts.
Critics argue the move lacks transparency, citing no public evidence of direct Chinese links. The decision may face legal challenges if stakeholders perceive it as overreach without due process.