Matt Clifford, the architect of the UK's artificial intelligence strategy, has joined US startup Anthropic as managing director of international affairs. Clifford will lead Anthropic's engagement with non-US governments while retaining his role as chair of the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria). This dual role has sparked conflict of interest concerns from politicians like Chi Onwurah, highlighting ongoing scrutiny over the 'revolving door' between UK politics and Silicon Valley.
Clifford appointment at Anthropic
- ▪Matt Clifford has joined the United States-based artificial intelligence startup Anthropic as managing director of international affairs.
- ▪In his role at Anthropic, Matt Clifford will lead engagement with governments outside the United States, including in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and India.
- ▪Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic is preparing for a stock exchange flotation that could value the business at $2 trillion.
Conflict of interest concerns
- ▪Campaign group Transparency International UK stated that Matt Clifford's appointment at Anthropic raises concerns about the revolving door between public office and private technology companies.
- ▪Anthropic stated that Matt Clifford has no involvement in decisions touching Anthropic at the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, an arrangement agreed with the agency and the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
- ▪Chi Onwurah, chair of the House of Commons science, innovation and technology committee, called Matt Clifford's decision to remain as chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency a clear conflict of interest.
- ▪Tom Brake, chief executive of Unlock Democracy, stated that Matt Clifford taking extensive government policy knowledge to Anthropic weakens the United Kingdom government's hand in pushing for a precautionary AI development approach.
UK-Silicon Valley revolving door
- ▪Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic.
- ▪Former United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg joined Meta in 2018, and former Chancellor George Osborne joined OpenAI.
Clifford's AI policy background
- ▪Matt Clifford drafted the United Kingdom government's artificial intelligence action plan, which supports creating AI growth zones for datacenters and building domestic AI models.
- ▪Matt Clifford served as an artificial intelligence opportunities adviser to United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer before resigning from the unpaid post after six months.
- ▪Matt Clifford served as the representative for former United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the 2023 AI Safety Summit and helped establish the organization that became the AI Security Institute.
- ▪Matt Clifford was appointed as the chair of the United Kingdom's Advanced Research and Invention Agency in 2022 and also serves as the chair of tech venture capital firm Entrepreneurs First.
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