Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei expresses deep discomfort with the ‘overnight and accidental’ concentration of power in the AI industry

Fortune

by Jake Angelo

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has expressed deep concern over the rapid and somewhat accidental consolidation of power in the AI industry. In a recent interview, he highlighted how a few individuals leading major AI companies rose to their positions through sheer chance, leading to an unprecedented concentration of influence that could reshape global economies. This unease is not new for Amodei; he has long warned about the dangers of personal fortunes swelling into trillions and the outsized political power this creates. His concerns are particularly relevant today as a handful of AI labs in the U.S. and China dominate advancements, with recent developments like Anthropic’s Claude Cowork triggering significant market reactions, including a trillion-dollar software stock selloff. Amodei’s worries stem from the potential societal repercussions of such wealth accumulation. Earlier this year, he co-authored a 20,000-word essay titled “The Adolescence of Technology,” urging caution and warning about the risks of unchecked AI development. He and Anthropic’s cofounders have pledged to donate 80% of their wealth, driven by fears of how concentrated power could destabilize society. This stance reflects his broader philosophy: he emphasizes that his warnings are not motivated by commercial interests but rather a sense of responsibility to address the ethical challenges posed by AI. Amodei compares the impending wave of AI advancements to an incoming tsunami, so close yet still underestimated by many. While some may dismiss these concerns as mere hyperbole, Anthropic’s recent enterprise offerings—like plugins for industries such as sales, finance, HR, and investment banking—demonstrate the tangible impact AI is already having. The rapid pace of innovation has also fueled record-breaking investments in AI, enriching tech billionaires by an estimated $550 billion and pushing figures like Elon Musk toward becoming the first trillionaire. The concentration of

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/24/2026