Reed Hastings, Netflix Co-founder and longtime CEO, has joined the board of directors at Anthropic, the AI research company behind Claude. The appointment was made by Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust, a governance body designed to ensure the company’s alignment with broad societal interests.
Hastings brings over 25 years of executive experience from building Netflix into a global media platform, along with board roles at Microsoft, Facebook, and Bloomberg. His addition marks a significant step as Anthropic deepens its focus on safe and socially beneficial AI development.
Championing Ethical AI and Societal Impact
“Reed’s impressive leadership, deep philanthropic commitment, and attention to the societal challenges of AI make him uniquely qualified to guide Anthropic at this moment,” said Buddy Shah, Chair of Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust.
Hastings has emerged as a vocal advocate for responsible AI. He recently donated $50 million to Bowdoin College to create a new research program focused on AI and Humanity, exploring the ethical implications of artificial intelligence on work, relationships, and education—areas that align closely with Anthropic’s research priorities.
“I’m joining Anthropic’s board because I believe in their thoughtful approach to AI development,” Hastings said. “Anthropic is optimistic about AI’s benefits but remains very aware of the economic, social, and safety risks. I’m here to help ensure we steer this technology in the right direction.”
A Global Tech Leader With a Human-Centered Mission
Beyond AI, Hastings has spent decades driving social change through philanthropy and global development. In the U.S., he has donated hundreds of millions to education, notably supporting charter school networks like KIPP, which operates 275 schools serving low-income communities. Internationally, he supports smallholder farmers in East Africa through One Acre Fund and helps subsidize mobile internet in Rwanda.
“Reed understands that technology companies have responsibilities far beyond product design,” said Daniela Amodei, President of Anthropic. “He brings a rare mix of executive experience and a deep commitment to ensuring technology serves the public good.”
Anthropic, known for developing reliable, steerable, and interpretable AI models, is positioning itself as a leader in responsible AI deployment. With Hastings now on board, the company gains a high-profile leader with firsthand experience in navigating how transformative technologies reshape society.
His appointment adds to the growing depth of expertise on Anthropic’s board, as the Long-Term Benefit Trust continues to prioritize diverse perspectives capable of guiding AI development in a direction that benefits all.
