The European Commission is analysing the implications of the US authorities’ decision to force Anthropic to block access to its most advanced artificial intelligence models for users outside the United States. Brussels stresses that security measures should not lead to discrimination against international partners.
The case concerns the Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, which Anthropic had made available just a few days earlier. According to the US administration, the models may pose a threat to national security, including in the area of cybersecurity. In response to the new export regulations, the company decided to completely disable access to both systems, arguing that it is unable to effectively restrict their use solely to foreign users.
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier acknowledged that the latest generation of AI models can bring significant benefits, particularly in the field of cyber defence. At the same time, he noted that these technologies also give rise to new risks that require appropriate safeguards. The Commission is currently examining the practical implications of the US decision for European users and businesses using Anthropic’s services.
Washington’s decision is part of a broader trend towards tightening controls over the most advanced AI technologies. Anthropic has long supported US efforts to restrict access to key technologies for geopolitical competitors, particularly in the context of rivalry with China. The company has previously argued that export controls are a vital element in maintaining US technological superiority.
For Europe, the situation has provided yet another argument in the debate on technological independence. Regnier stated that the events surrounding Anthropic demonstrate why the European Union should strengthen its own capabilities in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Similar views are also emerging in the European public debate, where there is a growing conviction that access to key technologies should not depend solely on decisions taken outside Europe.
Although the future of Anthropic’s models remains uncertain, the case already demonstrates that the development of artificial intelligence is increasingly intertwining issues of innovation, national security and geopolitics.
