Anthropic Appoints National Security Expert to Governing Trust

Anthropic Appoints National Security Expert to Benefit Trust

Following the unveiling of new AI models tailored for applications within U.S. national security, Anthropic has made a strategic appointment. Richard Fontaine, a recognized national security expert, has been added to the company’s long-term benefit trust.

The Role of the Long-Term Benefit Trust

Anthropic’s long-term benefit trust functions as a key governance structure. It is designed to prioritize safety considerations over purely financial gains. This trust possesses the authority to elect members to the company’s board of directors, influencing strategic direction.

Currently, the trust includes prominent figures such as Zachary Robinson, CEO of Centre for Effective Altruism, Neil Buddy Shah, CEO of Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Kanika Bahl, president of Evidence Action.

CEO Amodei on the Appointment

According to a statement released by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the addition of Fontaine will “[strengthen] the trust’s capacity to navigate intricate decisions” concerning AI and its implications for security.

Amodei further emphasized the timing of this appointment, stating, “Richard’s expertise is particularly valuable as increasingly sophisticated AI capabilities become intertwined with national security concerns.” He reiterated his belief in the importance of maintaining leadership in responsible AI development within democratic nations for both global security and the broader public benefit.

Richard Fontaine’s Background

As a trustee, Fontaine will not hold any financial interest in Anthropic. His prior experience includes serving as a foreign policy advisor to the late Senator John McCain.

He also held a position as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, where he lectured on security studies. For over six years, Fontaine led the Center for a New American Security, a prominent national security think tank located in Washington, D.C., serving as its president.

Expanding Engagement with National Security Sector

Anthropic is actively increasing its engagement with U.S. national security clients as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams.

In November, the company formed a partnership with Palantir and AWS – Amazon’s cloud computing division, and a major investor in Anthropic – to market Anthropic’s AI solutions to defense-related organizations.

Industry Trend: AI Labs and Defense Contracts

Anthropic is not alone in pursuing defense contracts within the AI industry. OpenAI is actively working to forge a stronger relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Furthermore, Meta has recently announced the availability of its Llama models to defense partners. Google is currently developing a specialized version of its Gemini AI designed for use in classified environments, and Cohere is collaborating with Palantir to deploy its AI models.

Recent Executive Additions

Fontaine’s appointment is part of a broader effort to bolster Anthropic’s executive team. In May, the company welcomed Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, to its board of directors.