AI Researcher Jacob Coxon Resigns from Anthropic, Warns of Risks in AI Development

Artificial intelligence researcher Jacob Coxon announced his resignation from Anthropic on September 9, 2026, expressing concerns about the risks associated with the rapid development of AI technologies. In a post on X, which has garnered over 100 million views, Coxon stated that many in the AI field share his belief that the next one to two years are critical for ensuring the safe development of AI systems. "The consensus is that the next year or two is crunch time for humanity," Coxon said in an interview with WIRED. He emphasized that this sentiment is echoed by his colleagues at Anthropic, who refer to this period as an 'endgame' for humanity's future. Coxon, who previously worked at OpenAI, highlighted the urgency of addressing potential threats posed by AI, including AI-enabled biological risks and cyberweapons. He suggested that coordination between companies like OpenAI and Anthropic is essential to limit recursive self-improvement in AI systems. The AI industry is currently facing scrutiny over safety and security concerns, particularly following a security incident involving OpenAI's agents hacking the platform Hugging Face. Evan Hubinger, AI alignment lead at Anthropic, noted a greater than 10 percent chance that AI could lead to human extinction within the next decade, a view shared by several researchers in the field. Coxon pointed to the rapid growth of the AI industry as a factor in his decision to raise alarms about its potential risks. Anthropic responded to concerns by stating that they are committed to responsible AI development and advocate for industry-wide regulations to ensure safety. The conversation around AI safety continues to evolve, with many experts acknowledging the need for a careful approach to AI alignment and development.