Concerns Arise Over Anthropic’s New AI Model and Transparency in AI Journalism

Matt Shumer, co-founder and CEO of OthersideAI, spoke about Anthropic’s new AI model, Mythos, on ‘The Sunday Briefing’. The model is raising red flags due to its ability to autonomously discover software vulnerabilities. This development has led Anthropic to limit public access to Mythos, focusing on cybersecurity. Shumer explained the decision to provide early access to major companies and the US government, highlighting efforts to prepare for potential risks to national security and key infrastructure.

Several major news organizations employ reporter fellows whose salaries are covered by AI journalism groups funded by donors. These relationships often remain undisclosed. The Tarbell Center for AI Journalism places fellows with media outlets like Bloomberg, Time, NBC News, The Guardian, and the Los Angeles Times. While some outlets inform readers about these funding ties, others do not, raising questions about disclosure standards. Fellows at the Tarbell Center earn between $60,000 to $80,000, with experienced journalists making up to $110,000.

“Tarbell is committed to supporting independent journalism, holding companies accountable, and fostering necessary discussions around technology,” the group states.

Tarbell sponsors at least 28 journalists, covering topics like Anthropic, deepfakes, and AI in geopolitics. Their website asserts no donors have control over the work, and donations over $10,000 are not taken anonymously. The group emphasized their commitment to editorial independence in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Tarbell receives funding from entities like Coefficient Giving, the Future of Life Institute, and the EA Infrastructure Fund. Coefficient Giving, which has given over $4.7 million to Tarbell, is mostly backed by Dustin Moskovitz, a Facebook co-founder and Anthropic investor. Many Tarbell fellows have reported on Anthropic, such as Harry Booth’s article in Time praising Anthropic’s flagship AI model, Claude. However, Time did not disclose Tarbell’s funding in Booth’s piece.

Some media outlets have opted to disclose connections to Tarbell. NBC News added a note to the work of Jared Perlo, indicating Tarbell’s support for his reporting on the Future of Life Institute.

The University of Chicago has introduced new AI-related educational policies, including a ban on electronic devices in first-year law classrooms and enhanced instruction on AI’s ethical use.

NBC included a statement saying, “This reporter is a Tarbell Fellow, funded through the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism, a nonprofit devoted to supporting news coverage of artificial intelligence.”

Tarbell stated that transparency is crucial, requiring fellows and outlets to disclose the nature of their relationship with the organization. The policy holds until fellows are hired full-time by their host outlets, at which point disclosure is no longer required.