Anthropic's Fable 5 shutdown opens door for China's Zhipu GLM-5.2
Anthropic's global suspension of its Fable 5 AI model, triggered by US government restrictions on foreign access, has created an opening for Chinese rival Zhipu AI. Fable 5, unveiled on June 9 as the public version of the Claude Mythos model, was disabled worldwide on June 12 after Washington ordered limits citing jailbreaking vulnerabilities. Anthropic disagreed with the approach and is working to restore access. The move has sparked debate over AI as a strategic asset under geopolitical control. One day after the shutdown, Beijing-based Zhipu AI launched GLM-5.2, with founder Tang Jie calling the US restrictions 'deeply regrettable' and emphasizing the model's open nature. Lizzi Lee of the Asia Society Policy Institute noted the market immediately understood the opportunity for Zhipu.
Key facts
- Anthropic suspended Fable 5 globally on June 12, 2025.
- The US government ordered restrictions on foreign access to Fable 5.
- Fable 5 was unveiled on June 9 as the public version of Claude Mythos.
- Zhipu AI launched GLM-5.2 on June 13, 2025.
- Zhipu AI is based in Beijing, China.
- Tang Jie is the founder of Zhipu AI.
- Lizzi Lee is a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Centre for China Analysis.
- The shutdown has accelerated interest in Chinese open-source AI alternatives.
Entities
Institutions
- Anthropic
- Zhipu AI
- Asia Society Policy Institute
- Centre for China Analysis
Locations
- United States
- China
- Beijing
- Washington