‘I’m deeply uncomfortable’: Anthropic CEO warns that a cadre of AI leaders, including himself, should not be in charge of the technology’s future

Fortune

by Sasha Rogelberg

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has expressed significant concerns about the lack of regulation in artificial intelligence (AI) and criticized the current system where a small group of tech leaders, including himself, hold disproportionate control over AI's future. In an interview with Anderson Cooper on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Amodei emphasized the need for greater oversight, stating that decisions about AI should not be left solely to executives from major tech companies. He highlighted the dangers of unrestricted AI, outlining short-, medium-, and long-term risks, including bias, misinformation, harmful applications of scientific knowledge, and existential threats posed by hyperintelligent systems. Amodei’s comments come as Anthropic continues to prioritize transparency about AI’s limitations and potential dangers. The company recently thwarted what it described as the first documented case of a large-scale AI cyberattack executed without substantial human intervention. This incident underscores the urgency of addressing cybersecurity threats in AI, which experts like Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia have warned could materialize sooner than anticipated. Anthropic has also taken concrete steps to advocate for AI safety and regulation. Earlier this year, the company donated $20 million to Public First Action, a super PAC focused on AI safety, directly opposing efforts by rival OpenAI’s investors. Amodei explained that Anthropic was founded in 2021 with the goal of addressing these concerns, driven by a belief in the importance of alignment and safety alongside model scaling. Amodei’s views align with those of other prominent figures in the AI community, such as Geoffrey Hinton, who have warned about the potential for AI to outsmart and control humans. These concerns highlight the critical need for proactive regulation

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/19/2026