The British government is reportedly pursuing a strategy, including a dual U.S.-U.K. listing, to lure the AI corporations Anthropic to expand in the country.
According to the Financial Times (FT) on the 4th (local time), the U.K. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is preparing various support measures on the condition that Anthropic, headquartered in San Francisco, expands its London base. This reportedly includes expanding the London office and pursuing a simultaneous listing on stock exchanges in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
The proposal has the support of the prime minister's office and is expected to be delivered when CEO Dario Amodei visits the U.K. in May.
Britain's move appears to have gathered pace after the U.S. Ministry of National Defense designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk corporations. Anthropic has differed with U.S. authorities over the scope of AI's military use, and President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the company over the issue.
The City of London has also launched an active courtship. London Mayor Sadiq Khan sent a letter to CEO Amodei proposing that London be made a key base, stressing that the city would provide a stable, innovation-friendly environment.
Anthropic is currently preparing an initial public offering (IPO) and aims to list as early as this year. However, some in the industry say the prospects of a simultaneous listing in the U.K. and the U.S. are limited.
Behind Britain's push to attract Anthropic is a strategy to secure "sovereign AI" capabilities. With few homegrown global AI corporations, the plan is to bring in major overseas corporations to strengthen technological competitiveness. Accordingly, the U.K. is seeking to expand cooperation with major AI corporations, including Anthropic.
Meanwhile, Anthropic currently employs about 200 people in the U.K., around 60 of whom are reportedly researchers. The British government expects additional investment and job growth going forward.