Anthropic's two most capable AI systems are about to break free of U.S. trade restrictions. After the company struck a deal with the Commerce Department, the Trump administration is expected to lift export controls on the models on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the matter said. It marks a significant turnaround for a company whose flagship technology had until now been tightly walled off.
Which Models Are Affected
The department will remove restrictions on both the Fable 5 model and the more powerful Mythos 5 model. So far, Mythos 5 had been cleared for release only to select companies and government agencies, having received approval for limited release just last week.
A Letter to Seal the Deal
The decision is expected to be conveyed in a letter to Anthropic cofounder Tom Brown, sent by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has spearheaded the administration's effort to resolve the standoff with Anthropic, working alongside national cyber director Sean Cairncross.
Tightening the Safety Net
The shift comes as Anthropic has been collaborating with the Commerce Department and the White House to harden its defenses against users who try to bypass Fable's safety limits to reach restricted capabilities, particularly those tied to cybersecurity.
A Change in Position
Anthropic had originally argued that the administration's jailbreak fears were overblown. The company maintained it was impossible to guarantee zero jailbreaks that could unlock the more powerful abilities of its restricted Mythos model.
New Tone, New Messenger
In recent weeks, Anthropic shifted its approach in a bid to get Fable back online, which also meant adjusting how it talked to the administration. CEO Dario Amodei was recently swapped out of meetings in favor of cofounder Tom Brown, whom officials warmed to on a personal level. Anthropic also assured the administration it would work to cut down on jailbreaks by building sturdier safeguards, effectively giving officials the answer they wanted to hear rather than reopening the philosophical fight over whether jailbreaks can ever be fully stopped.
