In brief
AI company Anthropic has announced that 5% of its shares will be placed in a public‑benefit fund dedicated to charitable causes and to tackling the societal effects of artificial intelligence, including job displacement. The move comes as the firm maps out a potential U.S. listing that could value it at over $1 trillion. Anthropic’s own filings warned that AI poses “catastrophic or existential” risks, and the fund will specifically exclude political lobbying. Tech billionaire Elon Musk commented on the announcement, urging shares be given directly to the public.
Anthropic will commit 5% of its shares to a public‑benefit fund
Artificial‑intelligence giant Anthropic announced that it will dedicate 5% of its equity to a fund that will make donations for the public good. The decision comes as the company lays the groundwork for a possible U.S. initial public offering that could value the firm at more than $1 trillion.
The announcement follows Anthropic’s own filing for an IPO in which the company warned that AI could pose “catastrophic or existential” risks to humanity. With this new fund, Anthropic aims to support non‑profit organisations and efforts to mitigate AI’s impact on the jobs market. Shares held by the fund will not be used for lobbying or political donations in the U.S. or abroad.
The public‑benefit fund could receive an additional 2% of Anthropic’s shares at the discretion of the board. The founder and Head of Public Benefit, Jack Clark, and two other senior executives said the arrangement would help the company meet growing regulatory scrutiny and societal expectations.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk responded on social media, writing that he recommends giving the shares directly to the public and that he would do so himself. The comment generated discussion among investors about how best to align AI growth with social responsibility.
Last month Anthropic told prospective investors its revenue had surged 45% to $16.8 bn (£12.6 bn) in the three months to the end of September, underscoring its profitability ambition while heavy spending on research and infrastructure has continued.
Many technology firms have already phased out thousands of jobs after investing heavily in AI, arguing that the efficiency gains outweigh the costs. A 2024 study by the International Monetary Fund warned that AI could affect up to 60% of jobs in advanced economies, with a global impact of around 40%.
For more on this story, see Why are there concerns AI could threaten humanity, and how real are they? and Anthropic bans users from being ‘cruel’ to its AI systems.
