Anthropic has announced plans to expand its presence in London with a new office that can accommodate up to 800 employees. This comes days after OpenAI revealed plans for its first permanent office in the UK capital.
The artificial intelligence (AI) company that develops the Claude chatbot currently employs more than 200 people in London. In a statement to CNBC, Pip White, Anthropic’s head of EMEA North, said, “London is already one of our most important research and commercial hubs outside the US, and our expansion in the Knowledge Quarter gives us the room to grow into. The UK combines ambitious enterprises and institutions that understand what’s at stake with AI safety with an exceptional pool of AI talent — we want to be where all of that comes together.”The move comes shortly after OpenAI announced its own plans to establish a permanent office in London, signalling increased activity among AI companies in the UK market. The expansion also follows UK officials’ efforts to engage with Anthropic, particularly after the company’s recent dispute with the US Pentagon over the use of its AI systems.
London mayor Sadiq Khan sends letter to Anthropic after Pentagon dispute
Anthropic recently received backing from the UK government amid its dispute with the US Department of War. UK officials sought to encourage the company to expand its presence in Britain and strengthen ties. In a letter to CEO Dario Amodei, London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote, “I believe that London can provide a stable, proportionate, and pro-innovation environment in which this kind of AI can flourish.”The outreach came as the UK Prime Minister explored proposals including expanding Anthropic’s London office and pursuing a dual listing. The plans were expected to be discussed during Amodei’s UK visit in May 2025.The efforts intensified after the Pentagon labelled Anthropic a supply-chain risk, adding pressure to its US ties. The UK aimed to position itself as an alternative AI hub and support “sovereign” AI development.
