Post by Alex Kantrowitz

Dario Amodei doesn’t hesitate when I ask what’s gotten into him. The Anthropic CEO has spent 2025 at war, feuding with industry counterparts, members of the government, and the public’s perception of artificial intelligence. In recent months, he’s predicted that AI could soon eliminate 50% of entry-level, white-collar jobs. He’s railed against a ten-year AI regulation moratorium in the pages of the New York Times. And he’s called for semiconductor export controls to China, drawing a public rebuke from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Underlying his efforts, Amodei says, is a firm belief that AI is moving faster than most of us appreciate, making its opportunities and consequences much closer than they appear. “I am indeed one of the most bullish about AI capabilities improving very fast,” he tells me. Anthropic is already one of the leaders in generative AI. And Amodei hopes that as it grows its heft will help him influence the industry’s direction. Given his willingness to speak out, throw a punch, and take one, he’s probably right. I spent months digging into Amodei’s outspokenness, finding out there's more to him than just a conflict-loving caricature — much, much more. I hope you enjoy, it's the most deeply reported article I'll publish this year.