An ongoing national examination of the financing behind organizations that warn about the risks of artificial intelligence has revealed a direct Alaska connection, with implications for the state’s governor’s race and for public debate over AI infrastructure policy.
Donors with Anthropic ties gave large sums to Kreiss‑Tomkins
The Washington Examiner and related reporting identify Emma Jane Abele, listed as the executive director of the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism and Model Evaluation and Threat Research (METR), as an Alaska-linked figure who personally contributed to Jonathan Kreiss‑Tomkins’ campaign for governor. Reporting by The Alaska Story previously documented a combined $70,000 in contributions from Abele to Kreiss‑Tomkins.
Beyond Abele, multiple individuals associated with Anthropic—an influential AI company—also made substantial donations to the campaign. The Alaska Story identified Anthropic employees who together contributed $372,000 to Kreiss‑Tomkins between February and May. Among those reported were a $100,000 gift from Drake Thomas, who grew up in Kenai, and a $70,000 contribution from Jan Leike.
“The contributions identified in Alaska came from individuals employed by Anthropic, METR and other AI-related organizations,” the reporting states.
Why the links matter in Alaska
Kreiss‑Tomkins has proposed a moratorium on new data centers in Alaska until the Legislature adopts comprehensive rules, placing AI infrastructure policy at the center of the campaign. The disclosure that people tied to national AI efforts and to Anthropic have given large amounts to his campaign raises questions about how relationships and interests are disclosed when organizations and individuals weigh in on AI risks and regulation.
Tarbell and METR have been identified by national reporting as having funding and personnel connections to figures who helped raise Anthropic, including early backers and influential philanthropic groups. Tarbell publicly lists Coefficient Giving—formerly known as Open Philanthropy—as a major funder, an institutional tie cited by the Washington Examiner as part of its inquiry into independence and transparency.
Contributions and connections: the numbers
| Donor or affiliation | Reported contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Jane Abele (METR executive director) | $70,000 | Identified by The Alaska Story as a donor to Kreiss‑Tomkins |
| Drake Thomas (Anthropic employee) | $100,000 | Grew up in Kenai; reported introduction role to candidate |
| Jan Leike (Anthropic employee) | $70,000 | Reported contributor |
| Six Anthropic employees (combined) | $372,000 | Combined total reported between February and May |
Transparency and public debate
National reporting suggests that staff and early backers connected to Anthropic also have ties to organizations that shape conversation about AI safety, raising questions about how independent those organizations are and how financial ties are disclosed when they intervene in policy debates or political campaigns. Tarbell and METR are named in that reporting as part of a broader network of research and journalism initiatives related to AI risks.
For Alaskans, the revelations intersect with local economic and environmental concerns. Data centers require power and infrastructure; decisions about where and whether to allow them affect communities, utility usage and the state’s broader economic strategy. Kreiss‑Tomkins’ proposed moratorium aims to pause approvals until the Legislature crafts comprehensive regulation.
What reporters have documented so far
- Emma Jane Abele, identified as METR executive director, donated $70,000 to Kreiss‑Tomkins.
- Anthropic employees contributed at least $372,000 to the campaign, including large individual gifts.
- Tarbell and METR have institutional connections to prominent AI backers and philanthropic actors, prompting questions over independence and disclosure.
Reporting to date ties individual donors and organizational relationships to both national debates about AI safety and to the Alaska governor’s race, but it does not establish improper coordination or specific policy commitments in exchange for contributions. The disclosures do highlight how personnel and funding networks can cross from private-sector AI work into public policy debates.
Campaign finance records and reporting by national outlets formed the basis of the coverage. Local voters and lawmakers now face decisions about whether, and how, to regulate data centers and AI infrastructure as those debates play out against the backdrop of outside money and influential national actors engaging with Alaska politics.
Further reporting may clarify the extent of institutional ties and whether additional donors or organizations have similar links to campaigns or policy advocacy in Alaska.
