Artificial intelligence collaboration between governments and leading developers is accelerating globally, as Anthropic signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Australia to strengthen AI safety research and support the country’s National AI Plan.

The agreement was formalised during a visit to Canberra, where Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration on AI safety, economic impact analysis, and research development.

As part of the initiative, Anthropic also announced AUD$3 million in partnerships with leading Australian research institutions. These collaborations will leverage its AI model, Claude, to improve disease diagnosis and treatment while advancing computer science education and research.

A central component of the MoU is cooperation with Australia’s AI Safety Institute. The partnership will involve sharing insights on emerging AI capabilities and risks, conducting joint safety and security evaluations, and supporting collaborative research with academic institutions. The arrangement mirrors similar agreements Anthropic maintains with AI safety bodies in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan.

The agreement also includes sharing data from Anthropic’s Economic Index to help the Australian government better understand AI adoption trends, economic impacts, and workforce implications. Initial focus areas include key sectors such as natural resources, agriculture, healthcare, and financial services.

Anthropic noted that Australian users are already among the most advanced adopters of AI tools, using systems like Claude across a wide range of high-skill tasks from business operations and management to life sciences applications.

In addition, the company is exploring potential investments in data centre infrastructure and energy systems in Australia, aligning with the government’s broader strategy to build a robust AI ecosystem.

“Australia’s investment in AI safety makes it a natural partner for responsible AI development,” said Amodei, highlighting the role of local research institutions in advancing healthcare applications through AI.

The partnership reflects a broader global trend of closer cooperation between governments and frontier AI developers, as countries seek to balance innovation with safety and economic resilience.