Anthropic Recommendations to OSTP for U.S. AI Action Plan
TL;DR
Anthropic has delivered a six‑point set of recommendations to the Office of Science and Technology Policy, arguing that the United States must act now on security testing, export controls, lab security, energy capacity, government AI use, and economic data collection to stay ahead of powerful AI systems anticipated by late 2026.
Anticipated Arrival of Powerful AI
Anthropic predicts that AI systems with capabilities comparable to Nobel‑level expertise across biology, computer science, mathematics, and engineering will appear in late 2026 or early 2027. These systems are expected to:
- Match or exceed top human intellectual performance in most scientific disciplines.
- Operate across all digital interfaces—text, audio, video, keyboards, mice, and internet browsing.
- Autonomously reason over extended periods, seeking clarification when needed, similar to a highly capable employee.
- Control physical equipment such as laboratory instruments, robots, and manufacturing tools via digital connections.
Anthropic cites its own Claude 3.7 Sonnet and Claude Code releases, along with comparable advances from other frontier labs, as evidence that the trajectory toward such powerful AI is accelerating.
Six Key Policy Recommendations
Anthropic’s submission focuses on six areas that together aim to capture economic benefits, protect national security, and distribute AI gains broadly.
1. National Security Testing
Government agencies should build robust capabilities to evaluate both domestic and foreign AI models for security risks.
- Develop standardized assessment frameworks.
- Construct secure testing infrastructure.
- Assemble expert teams to analyze vulnerabilities in deployed systems.
2. Strengthening Export Controls
Export restrictions on advanced semiconductors must be tightened to keep AI infrastructure out of adversarial hands.
- Control high‑performance H2O chips.
- Require government‑to‑government agreements for countries hosting large chip deployments.
- Lower thresholds that trigger licensing requirements.
3. Enhancing Lab Security
AI labs should be treated as strategic assets with classified communication channels to intelligence agencies.
- Create expedited security clearances for industry professionals.
- Develop next‑generation security standards for AI infrastructure.
4. Scaling Energy Infrastructure
An ambitious target of 50 GW of dedicated power by 2027 is needed to sustain leading‑edge AI development.
- Streamline permitting and approval processes for new power projects.
5. Accelerating Government AI Adoption
The federal government should inventory workflows that could benefit from AI augmentation and task agency leaders to implement high‑impact programs.
- Conduct a government‑wide AI‑readiness assessment.
- Prioritize projects delivering clear public benefit.
6. Preparing for Economic Impacts
Modernize economic data collection mechanisms to monitor and respond to AI‑driven changes in the labor market and broader economy.
- Update Census Bureau surveys and related data pipelines.
- Plan for potential large‑scale economic transformations.
Alignment with Anthropic’s Prior Policy Work
These recommendations extend Anthropic’s earlier advocacy for responsible scaling policies and third‑party testing frameworks. The lab emphasizes a balanced approach that encourages innovation while mitigating the serious risks posed by increasingly capable AI systems.
Access to Full Submission
The complete recommendation document, including detailed implementation strategies, is available at the Anthropic response PDF.
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