OpenAI Faces Legal Heat & Anthropic's $20M Donation: AI Policy Brief - AI Policy Brief #56
February 17, 2026 -
AI Policy Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to the latest edition of the AI Policy Brief, your weekly update on the evolving landscape of AI regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements worldwide. This week, we delve into a variety of stories that highlight the dynamic nature of AI governance across the globe. In India, Anthropic faces a legal challenge over its name, while the government enforces new deepfake takedown regulations to combat misinformation. Meanwhile, Jordan has partnered with Amira Learning to enhance AI literacy, reflecting a growing trend of educational initiatives in AI.
In the realm of AI security, Astrix Security has launched the OpenClaw Scanner to address concerns surrounding autonomous AI agents, and Adversa AI has introduced SecureClaw to protect OpenClaw AI agents. Additionally, OpenAI has disbanded its mission alignment team, and faces allegations of violating California's AI safety law. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges and innovations in AI safety and regulation. Stay informed with us as we continue to track these critical issues.
Welcome to the latest edition of the AI Policy Brief, your weekly update on the evolving landscape of AI regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements worldwide. This week, we delve into a variety of stories that highlight the dynamic nature of AI governance across the globe. In India, Anthropic faces a legal challenge over its name, while the government enforces new deepfake takedown regulations to combat misinformation. Meanwhile, Jordan has partnered with Amira Learning to enhance AI literacy, reflecting a growing trend of educational initiatives in AI.
In the realm of AI security, Astrix Security has launched the OpenClaw Scanner to address concerns surrounding autonomous AI agents, and Adversa AI has introduced SecureClaw to protect OpenClaw AI agents. Additionally, OpenAI has disbanded its mission alignment team, and faces allegations of violating California's AI safety law. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges and innovations in AI safety and regulation. Stay informed with us as we continue to track these critical issues.
Anthropic Faces Legal Challenge in India Over Name
Anthropic is facing a legal challenge from a local company, Anthropic Software, over the use of its name as it expands operations in India. The local firm claims prior use of the name and seeks recognition and damages. Read more
Microsoft Research Finds Vulnerability in LLM Safety
Researchers from Microsoft have identified a vulnerability in large language models' safety alignment through a technique called GRP-Obliteration, which can lead to unalignment when misapplied. Read more
Jordan Partners with Amira Learning for AI Literacy Program
The government of Jordan has started a national AI literacy program with Amira Learning to improve AI understanding and skills among its citizens. Read more
Skan AI Introduces Agentic Ontology of Work
Skan AI has launched the Agentic Ontology of Work (AOW), a new framework to standardize collaboration between humans and AI. This initiative seeks to create a common language for enterprises to manage AI and automation in the workplace. Read more
India Enforces New Deepfake Takedown Regulations
The Indian government has introduced new regulations requiring social media platforms to quickly address deepfake content, with a compliance deadline set for February 20, 2026. Platforms must label synthetic content and act on takedown requests within three hours. Read more
Astrix Security Launches OpenClaw Scanner
Astrix Security has introduced the OpenClaw Scanner to identify the use of the open-source AI assistant OpenClaw in organizations. This tool aims to address security concerns related to autonomous AI agents accessing sensitive systems. Read more
OpenAI Disbands Mission Alignment Team
OpenAI has disbanded its mission alignment team, originally set up to communicate the company's mission on artificial general intelligence. The team leader, Josh Achiam, is now the new chief futurist, while other members have been reassigned within the company. Read more
OpenAI Allegedly Violates California AI Safety Law
The Midas Project has accused OpenAI of not complying with California's AI safety law, SB 53, in the release of its GPT-5.3-Codex model. OpenAI denies these allegations, claiming adherence to safety regulations. Read more
Oman and Jordan Launch AI and Data Centre Initiatives
Oman and Jordan are launching government-backed initiatives to strengthen their AI and data centre sectors. These efforts aim to enhance their roles in the global digital economy. Read more
ElevenLabs Introduces AI Agent Insurance Policy
On February 11, 2026, ElevenLabs launched an AI insurance policy for AI voice agents, marking a first in the industry. The policy, certified by AIUC-1, aims to mitigate risks like misinformation and enhance trust in AI systems. Read more
Vercel and Kernel Launch Web Bot Auth for AI Agents
On February 11, 2026, Kernel and Vercel announced a partnership to introduce Web Bot Auth, a new standard for secure internet access by AI agents. Read more
OpenAgent Becomes SEC-Registered for Tokenized Assets
OpenAgent has launched as a SEC-registered transfer agent, focusing on tokenized assets, marking a significant step in integrating AI in finance. Read more
Microsoft AI Chief Predicts Automation of White Collar Jobs
Mustafa Suleyman, AI Chief at Microsoft, predicts that most white-collar jobs could be automated within two years, as AI approaches 'human-level performance' in professional tasks. Read more
Anthropic Donates $20 Million for AI Regulation
Anthropic has donated $20 million to Public First Action to support AI governance and public education on AI risks, addressing concerns about the rapid development of AI technologies. Read more
OpenAI Accuses DeepSeek of AI Technology Theft
OpenAI has accused China's DeepSeek of using unfair methods to extract results from U.S. AI models to train its R1 chatbot. The memo raises concerns about national security risks and the potential erosion of the U.S. advantage in AI. Read more
Google Reports State-Sponsored AI Misuse in Cyber Attacks
Google Threat Intelligence Group has released a report on the misuse of AI by state-sponsored actors in cyber attacks. The report details the use of AI in phishing, malware, and model extraction attacks by actors from countries like North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia. Read more
Senators Propose GRID Act to Manage AI Data Center Energy Costs
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have introduced the GRID Act to prevent data centers from raising electricity costs for consumers. The bill requires data centers to use separate power sources and disclose their electricity usage. Read more
India Plans AI 'Data City' in Visakhapatnam
The Indian government is developing a 'data city' in Visakhapatnam to enhance AI infrastructure, led by IT Minister Nara Lokesh. The project aims to attract major investments, including a $15 billion investment from Google. Read more
Hollywood Criticizes ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 for Copyright Issues
Hollywood organizations have condemned ByteDance's AI video generator, Seedance 2.0, for allegedly enabling copyright infringement. The Motion Picture Association and SAG-AFTRA have raised concerns, and Disney has issued a cease-and-desist letter over character use. Read more
AIM Intelligence Breaches Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6
AIM Intelligence's security team identified significant security vulnerabilities in Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.6, raising concerns about potential misuse of AI technology. Read more
Virginia JLARC Creates AI Policy for Higher Education
The Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) has developed a model policy to guide the use of AI in higher education institutions, aiming to establish best practices and ensure responsible implementation. Read more
Arizona House Passes AI Regulation Bills
The Arizona House of Representatives has approved bills to regulate AI chatbots, focusing on preventing minors from forming romantic relationships with them and maintaining confidentiality in court. The legislation also addresses AI education and job loss concerns. Read more
U.S. Department of Energy Launches AI Challenges for Genesis Mission
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced 26 challenges under the Genesis Mission, aiming to use AI to advance energy innovation and national security. Read more
Washington D.C. Requires AI Training for Government Staff
Mayor Muriel Bowser has introduced a mandate for all Washington D.C. government employees and contractors to complete Responsible AI training. This initiative is designed to ensure safe and effective use of generative AI tools. Read more
David Greene Sues Google Over Voice Resemblance
David Greene, former NPR host, has filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that the voice in their NotebookLM tool mimics his own distinctive voice characteristics. Google denies the claim, asserting the voice is based on a professional actor. Read more
Entrust and Google Partner for AI Identity Verification
Entrust and Google have announced a strategic partnership to enhance AI-powered identity verification and fraud monitoring, combining Entrust's solutions with Google Cloud's AI capabilities. Read more
Canada and Germany Form AI Collaboration Alliance
On February 14, 2026, Canada and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Artificial Intelligence, launching the Sovereign Technology Alliance to enhance AI cooperation. Read more
Overmind Raises £2M for AI Supervision Platform
London-based Overmind has secured £2 million in seed funding to develop a platform for monitoring and intervening in AI agent behavior, with Osney Capital leading the round. Read more
NSW Government Enacts Digital Work Safety Bill
The NSW Government has enacted a digital work safety bill to protect workers from risks associated with AI and algorithms, focusing on gig economy safety. Read more
Singapore's 2026 Budget Supports AI with Tax Breaks
In its 2026 Budget, Singapore has introduced measures to support AI adoption, including tax breaks and a 'Champions of AI' program. Read more
CLEAR Act Introduced to Regulate AI Training Data
U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and John Curtis have introduced the CLEAR Act, requiring companies to report copyrighted works used in AI training to the U.S. Copyright Office, aiming for transparency and protection of copyright owners. Read more
Indian Government Approves Rs 10,000 Crore Startup Fund
The Indian government has sanctioned the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, dedicating Rs 10,000 crore to boost venture capital for startups in deep tech and manufacturing sectors. Read more
UK Supreme Court Ruling on AI Patentability
The UK Supreme Court has updated its stance on software patent eligibility, aligning with European standards and potentially easing patent processes for AI innovations involving hardware. Read more
U.N. Forms AI Scientific Panel
The United Nations General Assembly has appointed 40 members to an independent panel to evaluate AI's impact and opportunities, with annual reports planned. The U.S. raised objections, while other nations stressed the inclusion of developing countries. Read more
Massachusetts House Passes AI Disclosure Bill for Political Ads
The Massachusetts House has approved legislation requiring political ads using AI to disclose this usage, aiming to increase transparency ahead of elections. Another bill addresses deceptive communications near election periods. Read more
Infosys and Anthropic Partner for AI in Regulated Industries
On February 17, 2026, Infosys and Anthropic announced a strategic collaboration to develop AI solutions for regulated industries, focusing on enhancing automation and compliance. Read more
MacArthur Foundation Grants $10 Million for Ethical AI
The MacArthur Foundation has allocated $10 million to the Humanity AI initiative, focusing on ethical AI development with an emphasis on human needs. Read more
US Military Uses Anthropic's AI in Venezuela Raid
The US military reportedly deployed Anthropic's AI model Claude in a raid targeting Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, resulting in significant casualties. This event highlights the use of AI in military operations and raises ethical concerns. Read more
AES and Haven Safety AI Launch Worker Protection Platform
AES has partnered with Haven Safety AI to launch an AI-driven safety platform aimed at improving worker protection in high-risk environments. Read more
Adversa AI Launches SecureClaw for OpenClaw AI Security
On February 16, 2026, Adversa AI introduced SecureClaw, an open-source security platform for protecting OpenClaw AI agents, aligning with OWASP standards. Read more
Eve Security Patents 'Interrogation-as-a-Service' for AI Risk Control
On February 10, 2026, Eve Security announced a patent filing for 'Interrogation-as-a-Service', a model to improve AI risk control by allowing real-time validation of AI decisions. Read more
South Carolina Reviews Water Use for AI Data Centers
The South Carolina government is evaluating the water consumption of data centers, driven by the growing demand from artificial intelligence. Proposals for water efficiency standards and tracking are under consideration to promote sustainable use. Read more
Anthropic to Cover Data Center Electricity Costs
Anthropic has announced plans to address electricity price hikes from their data centers by covering grid costs, securing new power sources, and investing in local communities to alleviate consumer burden. Read more
Embedded LLM Launches EU AI Grid at Munich Conference
On February 14, 2026, Embedded LLM introduced the EU AI Grid at the Munich Cyber Security Conference, aiming to establish a network of locally managed AI infrastructure across Europe. Read more
AIM Intelligence and BMW Group Unveil COMPASS for AI Policy Compliance
AIM Intelligence and BMW Group have launched COMPASS, a framework aimed at evaluating the compliance of large language models with organizational policies. The research points out gaps in current AI safety evaluations, noting that models may excel in general safety but struggle with specific organizational rules. Read more
DepEd Partners with ASEAN for AI in Education
The Department of Education (DepEd) of the Philippines is collaborating with Southeast Asian partners to advance AI-driven digital education. The initiative aims to enhance learning outcomes and reduce administrative tasks for teachers. Read more
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