Key facts
- Matt Clifford, architect of the UK's AI strategy, has joined AI startup Anthropic.
- Clifford will lead Anthropic's international government engagement outside the US.
- He will retain his position as chair of the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).
- Critics have voiced concerns about the "revolving door" between government and the private sector.
- Anthropic is reportedly preparing for a stock market listing valued at up to $2tn.
Matt Clifford, the individual credited with architecting the UK government's artificial intelligence strategy, has taken a senior position at the US-based AI startup Anthropic. Clifford will serve as managing director for international affairs, a role that will see him engage with governments across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and India.
Clifford's move comes a year after he stepped down from an unpaid AI opportunities adviser role for Keir Starmer and follows a well-trodden path from government to the tech industry, with figures like Nick Clegg, Rishi Sunak, and George Osborne having previously made similar transitions.
Despite the move to the private sector, Anthropic confirmed that Clifford will continue in his capacity as chair of the UK's government-backed Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), which focuses on funding significant science and technology projects. He will also retain his co-founding chair role at the tech venture capital firm Entrepreneurs First.
The transition has drawn criticism from campaign groups and politicians who point to the potential for a "revolving door" phenomenon, where individuals leverage knowledge gained in public service for private sector gain. Tom Brake, CEO of Unlock Democracy, stated that such moves give companies a significant advantage. Beeban Kidron, a peer and AI policy critic, emphasized the need for independent politics in the relationship between government and the tech sector.
However, Labour MP Chi Onwurah, chair of the science, innovation and technology committee, acknowledged Clifford's contributions to domestic AI policy and supported the principle of movement between public and private sectors. She expressed concern, however, about the speed at which Clifford is taking his expertise to a major global AI player, hoping he will promote responsible AI development.
An Anthropic spokesperson defended their hiring practices, stating that expertise in government operations is crucial for their work in multiple markets, not just the UK. Clifford himself commented that the most critical decisions regarding AI will be a collaborative effort between companies and governments, and his role is to foster Anthropic's partnership in this process.
Anthropic, known for its Claude chatbot, is reportedly preparing for a stock market flotation that could value the company at as much as $2 trillion. Clifford's prior experience includes representing the UK at the 2023 AI Safety Summit and contributing to the creation of the AI Safety Institute.