Anthropic Funds AI Regulation, ByteDance Sparks Copyright Alarm, Meta Sells 7 Million Smart Glasses

Anthropic donates $20M to support AI oversight, ByteDance's new video model raises copyright concerns, and Meta sells record number of smart glasses.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Anthropic, a leading AI company, has committed $20 million to a bipartisan political group, Public First Action, to support candidates who favor AI oversight. This sets up a clash with another AI group, Leading the Future, which is backed by OpenAI and venture capitalists and opposes stricter AI regulation. Meanwhile, ByteDance's new video model, Seedance 2.0, has sparked copyright concerns in Hollywood, with filmmakers quickly creating unauthorized content using the tool. Additionally, Meta has quietly sold over 7 million units of its smart glasses in 2025, a significant milestone for the hardware market.

Why it matters

The Anthropic-Public First Action donation and the ByteDance copyright debate highlight the growing importance of AI regulation and the tensions between tech companies, policymakers, and the creative industry. The success of Meta's smart glasses also suggests that AI-powered wearables may have found a viable market, potentially transforming how consumers interact with technology.

The details

Anthropic, a prominent AI company, has donated $20 million to Public First Action, a bipartisan political group that supports candidates who favor AI oversight. This move sets up a direct clash with Leading the Future, a PAC backed by OpenAI and venture capitalists, which has raised $125 million to oppose stricter AI regulation. Anthropic argues that companies building advanced AI have a responsibility to ensure the technology serves the public good. Meanwhile, ByteDance's new video model, Seedance 2.0, has sparked copyright concerns in Hollywood, with filmmakers quickly creating unauthorized content using the tool. The Motion Picture Association has condemned what it calls massive copyright infringement. Additionally, Meta has quietly sold over 7 million units of its smart glasses in 2025, a significant milestone for the hardware market, where most XR devices struggle to reach low single-digit millions in sales.

  • Anthropic entered the 2026 midterm cycle this week with a $20 million commitment to Public First Action.
  • Beta registration for T-Mobile's AI translation service opened for postpaid members this week, with wider access expected this spring.
  • ByteDance released Seedance 2.0, its new video model, which immediately triggered copyright alarms in Hollywood.

The players

Anthropic

A leading AI company that has committed $20 million to a bipartisan political group, Public First Action, to support candidates who favor AI oversight.

Public First Action

A bipartisan political group that is backed by Anthropic and supports candidates who favor AI oversight.

Leading the Future

A PAC backed by OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, which has raised $125 million to oppose stricter AI regulation.

ByteDance

A Chinese company that released Seedance 2.0, a new video model that has sparked copyright concerns in Hollywood.

Meta

A technology company that has quietly sold over 7 million units of its smart glasses in 2025, a significant milestone for the hardware market.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

“It's likely over for us.”

— Rhett Reese, writer of the Deadpool films (Twitter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.