# Anthropic Opposes OpenAI-Backed Illinois AI Liability Bill
AI News
2026-04-18

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A political rift between two of America’s leading AI laboratories has
emerged over a proposed Illinois law that would grant AI companies
near-total immunity from liability for harms caused by their models.
Anthropic announced its opposition to the legislation, directly
challenging OpenAI’s position and drawing new battle lines in the debate
over AI regulation.

## The Proposed SB 3444 Bill

The legislation, known as SB 3444, would exempt AI laboratories from
responsibility if their models are used to cause mass casualties or more
than $1 billion in property damage—so long as the lab published its own
safety framework on its website. OpenAI has backed the bill, arguing it
reduces serious harm risks while still allowing AI technology to reach
Illinois businesses and residents.

Anthropic’s VP of US Government Relations, Cesar Fernandez, stated: “We
are opposed to this bill. Good transparency legislation needs to ensure
public safety and accountability for the companies developing this
powerful technology, not provide a get-out-of-jail-free card against all
liability.”

## Two Competing Visions for AI Regulation

The disagreement reveals fundamentally different approaches to AI
governance. OpenAI argues for what it calls a “harmonized” approach
across states, believing that liability shields encourage innovation
without sacrificing safety. The company maintains it will continue
working with states including Illinois toward a consistent safety
framework that could inform national policy.

Anthropic, by contrast, argues that companies developing frontier AI
models should be held at least partially responsible when their
technology causes widespread societal harm. The company testified last
week in support of a different Illinois bill, SB 3261, which would
require frontier AI developers to create public safety plans tested by
independent third-party auditors.

## Industry and Political Reactions

The debate has attracted attention beyond the AI industry. Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker’s office stated: “The Governor does not believe big
tech companies should ever be given a full shield that evades
responsibilities they should have to protect the public interest.”

AI policy experts note that SB 3444 has only a remote chance of becoming
law, but it signals growing political divisions between AI companies
that could shape future regulatory battles nationwide.

The clash comes amid increased lobbying activity from AI labs across US
states, with both Anthropic and OpenAI working to influence legislation
from California to New York to Illinois.