Reed Hastings Joins Anthropic Board, AI Startup Values at $615 Billion

Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence startup, has announced that Reed Hastings, the co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, will join its board of directors. The appointment was made by Anthropic's Long-Term Interests Trust Committee, an independent body composed of five financially independent individuals.

Hastings, now 64 years old, brings a wealth of experience in the technology sector, having served on the boards of prominent companies such as Microsoft, Bloomberg, and Meta. As the co-founder of Netflix, Hastings has been instrumental in the company's growth and transformation since its inception in 1997, serving as CEO until 2023.

Anthropic highlighted that Hastings' deep industry experience and insights into how technology can serve societal development will be invaluable to the company. In a statement, Hastings expressed his alignment with Anthropic's vision for AI, stating, "Anthropic recognizes both the benefits and challenges that AI presents to humanity. I am joining the board because I believe in their approach to AI development and its potential to advance human civilization."

Hastings' recent donation of 50 million dollars to his alma mater, Bowdoin College in Maine, to establish an AI research project further underscores his commitment to exploring the ethical implications of AI. The project aims to investigate the ethical frameworks of AI technology and its impact on education, work, and interpersonal relationships. Anthropic noted that this research aligns closely with its own scientific direction.

Daniela Amodei, the president of Anthropic, praised Hastings' addition to the board, stating, "His focus on the human impact of technology, whether during his time at Netflix or through his global health and education initiatives, makes him an ideal member of our board. We will continue to develop AI that benefits humanity rather than causing harm."

With a current valuation of 615 billion dollars, Anthropic is focused on maintaining its competitive edge in the AI race led by OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, while emphasizing the importance of AI governance and safety. Hastings' expertise and strategic vision are expected to play a crucial role in Anthropic's continued growth and innovation in the AI sector.