Reed Hastings, Founder of Netflix, Has Been Appointed to the Board of the AI Giant Anthropic

Reed Hastings, the founder and former CEO of Netflix, is joining the board of directors of the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, known for developing the widely used Claude large language models.

Hastings was designated by the Long Term Benefit Trust, which possesses the authority to appoint certain members of Anthropic’s board.

Image: Netflix INVESTORS

“The Long Term Benefit Trust appointed Reed due to his exceptional leadership experience, extensive philanthropic efforts, and dedication to tackling AI's societal challenges, rendering him uniquely qualified to steer Anthropic at this pivotal moment in AI development,” stated Buddy Shah, chair of Anthropic’s Long Term Benefit Trust.

Hastings is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, having established and guided Netflix from its inception as a DVD rental service to a formidable force in Hollywood, currently the leading entity in streaming entertainment. He relinquished his position as co-CEO in 2023 and as chairman of the corporation earlier this year.

He has maintained a concentrated focus on the opportunities and dangers of AI, contributing $50 million to Bowdoin College earlier this year to establish the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity, and would "ensure that students graduate adequately equipped to lead in a world transformed by AI."

“Anthropic is highly optimistic regarding the advantages of AI for humanity, yet remains acutely cognizant of the economic, social, and safety challenges,” Hastings stated. I am joining Anthropic's board due to my conviction in their methodology for AI development and to facilitate human advancement.

“Reed recognizes that technology firms bear a responsibility that extends beyond mere product development,” stated Daniela Amodei, president of Anthropic. “His emphasis on the human consequences of technology—whether at Netflix or through his global health and education endeavors—renders him an exemplary candidate for our board as we persist in developing AI that benefits rather than detracts.”

Anthropic is a prominent entity in the artificial intelligence sector, with their Claude model being utilized throughout the industry. It secured over $6 billion from Amazon in the previous year. Hastings has utilized his time after Netflix at the ski resort Powder Mountain, where he additionally holds the position of CEO.