Austrian State Secretary for Digitalization Alexander Pröll wrote to European Commission Vice‑President Henna Virkkunen urging the bloc to host Anthropic within its borders. He argues that a European‑based unit would give the company legal certainty, market access and capital while aligning with EU values. The move seeks to counter recent US restrictions that barred foreign users from Anthropic’s latest AI models.

Pröll’s letter frames the proposal as a strategic step toward EU tech independence, echoing broader efforts to reduce reliance on US and Chinese AI platforms. He notes that hosting Anthropic could attract talent, retain investment and help the bloc set standards rather than displace home‑grown projects. EU officials have been negotiating an AI partnership with the United States to safeguard semiconductor supply chains.

The United States recently limited foreign access to Anthropic’s newest models, prompting the EU to consider a reciprocal arrangement. By offering a secure legal framework and capital, Europe hopes to keep cutting‑edge generative AI research onshore. If the bloc secures Anthropic, it would create a tangible anchor for AI talent and investment within Europe today and policy influence.