Anthropic, a major player in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape, has appointed Chris Liddell, a seasoned executive and political operative, to its board of directors. This move signals a strategic effort by the AI startup to navigate the complex regulatory and political currents surrounding generative AI development.
Liddell brings a wealth of experience from high-profile roles, including former Chief Financial Officer at Microsoft, Vice Chairman at General Motors, and Deputy White House Chief of Staff under President Donald Trump. His involvement in three presidential transition cycles further underscores his deep understanding of policy and government affairs.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for Anthropic, which has faced scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding its approach to AI regulation. David Sacks, appointed by the administration as an AI and crypto czar, has previously accused Anthropic of promoting “woke AI” due to its stance on regulatory matters. Liddell’s background, particularly his experience in the executive branch, could prove instrumental in bridging potential divides and fostering a more constructive dialogue with policymakers.
“My career has taught me the governance of transformative technologies matters as much as the technologies themselves,” Liddell stated. “Anthropic’s approach — building AI that’s both capable and responsible — is critical for our future, and it’s why I’m proud to be joining the company’s Board.”
This appointment follows closely on the heels of Anthropic’s significant $20 million contribution to Public First Action, a group that supports pro-AI regulation candidates, including Republicans Marsha Blackburn and Pete Ricketts. This philanthropic move aligns with the administration’s broader agenda, as evidenced by President Trump’s December executive order aimed at establishing a unified national AI regulatory framework and challenging state-level AI legislation.
Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives, Anthropic is renowned for its Claude family of AI models. The company recently announced a substantial funding round, securing $30 billion at a post-money valuation of $380 billion. This financial milestone underscores the significant investor confidence in Anthropic’s potential and its role in shaping the future of AI.
Liddell will join a distinguished board of directors, which includes CEO Dario Amodei, President Daniela Amodei, and Netflix Chairman Reed Hastings. The selection of board members is overseen by stockholders and Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust, ensuring a robust governance structure designed to prioritize the company’s long-term vision and ethical development.
Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/18242.html
