Former Anthropic Researcher to Testify at NYC Council AI Safety Hearing
Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon will testify before the New York City Council on October 5, 2026, as lawmakers examine potential risks and new regulations for the AI industry.
Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic, is scheduled to provide testimony at a New York City Council hearing regarding AI safety risks on October 5, 2026. The session will feature representatives from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta.
Council Speaker Julie Menin organized the hearing as a Committee of the Whole, involving all 51 council members. The council previously invited the chief executives of Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta to attend. Additionally, SpaceXAI was served with a subpoena on or around September 30, 2026, following legal action regarding non-compliance.
This hearing marks the first instance of a US legislative body compelling sworn testimony on AI safety. Lawmakers are reviewing three primary legislative proposals: a requirement for third-party validation of AI systems, the creation of whistleblower incentives for AI lab insiders, and a measure granting individuals the right to sue for damages caused by AI systems.
Coxon resigned from Anthropic around September 8-9, 2026. In a public statement that has been viewed over 173 million times, he claimed that AI companies are gambling with lives and warned that the technology could be lethal to everyone by the end of the decade. His resignation is credited with fueling the push for this hearing.
Other researchers at Anthropic have voiced similar concerns. Evan Hubinger has estimated a greater than 10% probability that AI could be lethal to humanity within a decade. These warnings reflect a growing consensus among some researchers regarding existential dangers, including risks related to bioweapons and the loss of human control.
Coxon has faced scrutiny regarding his association with a PR firm linked to AI safety advocacy, though he has refuted claims regarding these ties.
