Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic announced on Wednesday that Reed Hastings, the co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, has joined its board of directors. Hastings, who stepped down from his CEO role at Netflix in 2023, was appointed by Anthropic's Long Term Benefit Trust, an independent committee of five financially disinterested members overseeing the AI company’s governance.
Hastings, aged 64, brings extensive leadership experience from his decades in the technology sector, where he has also held board positions at companies including Facebook (now Meta) and Bloomberg. Anthropic emphasized his deep understanding of technology’s societal impacts and his commitment to ensuring that innovation serves the broader public good.
In a statement, Hastings said, "I'm joining Anthropic's board because I believe in their approach to AI development, and to help humanity progress." He acknowledged the transformative potential of AI while also highlighting the importance of addressing economic, social, and safety challenges associated with the technology.
Recently, Hastings made a $50 million donation to Bowdoin College, his alma mater in Maine, to establish an AI research initiative focused on ethical frameworks and the future impact of artificial intelligence on education, work, and human relationships—priorities that closely align with Anthropic's mission.
Daniela Amodei, President of Anthropic, noted, "His focus on the human impact of technology—whether at Netflix or through his global health and education initiatives—makes him an ideal addition to our board as we continue building AI that helps rather than harms."
Anthropic has positioned itself as a key competitor in the AI industry, valued at approximately $61.5 billion earlier this year. The company strives to advance AI capabilities responsibly alongside competitors such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, emphasizing safety and ethical considerations in its development efforts.
