UK officials are aggressively courting Anthropic, the $380bn AI start-up, to significantly expand its London presence following a high-profile dispute with the US defense department. Staff at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have drafted proposals including office expansion and potential dual listing in the UK, aiming to persuade CEO Dario Amodei during his late May visit. This push intensified after the US defense department labeled Anthropic a supply-chain risk, prompting a scathing rebuke from President Trump over the company's refusal to meet "red lines" regarding military technology use.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has also pitched the capital as a "steadfast" base. The UK's efforts are part of a broader global push for sovereign AI capabilities, exemplified by its recent £40mn state-backed AI research lab. Anthropic currently employs 200 UK staff, including 60 researchers, and last year appointed former PM Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser.

While a dual listing in the UK and US is seen as a "dream" by insiders, it's considered highly unlikely. Business Secretary Peter Kyle emphasizes attracting talent over listing, stating the government is "assertively" selling the UK's benefits to high-growth companies worldwide.