Anthropic blocks bioweapon research attempts in third AI misuse report

The disclosure coincides with internal tensions at the company, as researcher Jacob Coxon resigned, citing concerns that Anthropic and OpenAI are racing toward self-improving superintelligence without adequate safety measures. This resignation aligns with broader political pressure in the UK, where over 70 MPs and peers urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to ban the creation of artificial superintelligence. The UK government responded by rejecting a ban, emphasizing a science-led approach and the need for robust cyber defenses rather than restricting model access.

Anthropic stated that the reported cases represent novel and notable threats rather than typical misuse, including industrial-scale model distillation and state-sponsored propaganda operations. The company urged governments and competitors to adopt similar defensive measures, arguing that as AI capabilities grow, the responsibility to prevent misuse must be shared across the industry and public sector.