Netflix architect Reed Hastings joins Anthropic to steer AI's future 'responsibly'

Reed Hastings, the visionary co-founder who scaled Netflix into a global media powerhouse, has been appointed to the board of directors at Anthropic. The move brings Hastings’ extensive experience in navigating disruptive technology to the forefront of responsible AI development.

A seasoned hand: Hastings' appointment by Anthropic's Long Term Benefit Trust recognizes his "impressive leadership experience, deep philanthropic work, and commitment to addressing AI’s societal challenges," according to Trust Chair Buddy Shah. Having served as Netflix's CEO for 25 years and on boards like Microsoft and Facebook, Hastings is well-versed in the complexities of rapidly advancing tech.

Humanity in the code: This new role aligns with Hastings' personal focus, underscored by his recent $50 million donation to Bowdoin College for an AI and Humanity initiative. Anthropic President Daniela Amodei praised Hastings’ "focus on the human impact of technology," stating it makes him an "ideal addition" as the company works to build AI that helps, not harms. Hastings himself said he's joining because he believes in Anthropic's approach "to help humanity progress."

The AI contender: An OpenAI competitor backed by tech giants like Amazon and Google, Anthropic was founded as a public benefit corporation. The company focuses on creating AI systems designed to be steerable and interpretable, and Hastings joins a board that includes CEO Dario Amodei and President Daniela Amodei.

Reading Recap:

• Anthropic details Hastings' board appointment

• Reuters covers Hastings' move to AI firm

• Variety on Hastings' philanthropic AI alignment

• The Verge reports on the board addition

Also on the AI safety beat: Both OpenAI and Anthropic already deepened their collaboration with the U.S. AI Safety Institute, granting access to new models for independent testing. Anthropic, in particular, is fortifying its defenses against AI model jailbreaks. These efforts are part of broader industry movements, like the Cloud Security Alliance’s AI Safety Initiative, aiming to establish robust best practices as regulatory frameworks evolve.