Anthropic secures SpaceX compute deal amid publishing AI controversy

Anthropic co-founder Tom Brown has reportedly brokered a $1.25 billion per month compute deal with SpaceX. This move comes as Anthropic seeks strategic alliances ahead of a potential IPO that could value the company above $2 trillion. Brown also played a key role in resolving a security standoff with the White House regarding access to certain Anthropic models.

Separately, employees at major U.S. publishing houses, including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette, allege that these firms are quietly utilizing generative AI tools without author consent. Reported uses include designing cover art, writing promotional copy, and generating marketing materials. While these publishers have publicly opposed AI copyright infringement, staff claim the technology is being integrated into workflows for efficiency, leading to internal tensions regarding ethics, transparency, and the potential replacement of human creativity.