Anthropic, the creator of Claude, will dedicate 5% of its shares to a fund focused on public-benefit projects. The initiative will enable increased donations and finance actions to address the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on society.
The fund may receive additional shares as the company’s valuation increases. The announcement comes as Anthropic plans a possible initial public offering, which could be among the largest in history.
Anthropic has already set aside US$ 200 million to study and address labor market changes caused by AI. – Image: Jack_the_sparow/Shutterstock
Fund may receive more shares
The structure provides for a limited liability company wholly controlled by the fund. For every 50% increase in Anthropic’s valuation above a reference threshold that has not yet been disclosed, the board may authorize the transfer of an additional 2% of the shares.
The funds may support different areas, including:
- Donations to nonprofit organizations;
- Direct distribution of funds to specific groups of the population;
- Studies on the effects of artificial intelligence on the labor market;
- Initiatives focused on other needs of public interest.
The company said it will disclose details in the coming months about the fund’s governance, structure, and criteria for broadening share ownership. It also intends to publish a report on the progress of its public-benefit mission.
AI safety and employment impacts
The fund was created amid concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Anthropic itself has said the technology may pose “catastrophic or existential risks to humanity.” According to Reuters, around 80 of the 261 pages in the main body of the company’s prospectus are devoted to risk factors.
Effects on employment are also among the priorities. The company had already announced a US$200 million (about R$1.01 billion) commitment to study and address changes in the labor market caused by AI.
The concern is not limited to Anthropic. Companies across various sectors have been cutting thousands of jobs after investing in the technology, and many attribute these decisions to efficiency gains.
In the week before the announcement, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said around 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected by AI. In advanced economies, the figure reaches 60%.
Elon Musk criticized the rival’s fund and pledged to directly donate SpaceX shares to children in the United States. – Image: FotoField/ShutterstockFund will not finance political activities
Anthropic said that shares allocated to the fund will not be used to finance lobbying or political donations in the United States or abroad. The restriction was announced as U.S. authorities consider expanding oversight of the sector.
The new fund builds on the co-founders’ commitment to donate 80% of their stakes and a matching contribution program for employee donations. Together, these commitments are expected to allocate approximately 20% of Anthropic’s shares to public-interest purposes. The estimate does not include any potential additional transfers to the fund.
The proposal also prompted a statement from Elon Musk, who leads competitor SpaceX. In a post on the social network X, he defended distributing the shares directly to the public and announced that he intends to donate one SpaceX share to every child in the United States next year.
“I recommend giving the shares directly to the public,” Musk wrote. He then added: “Next year, I will give one of my SpaceX shares to every child in the United States. This will be the first of many.”
Anthropic still needs to clarify how the fund will be managed and what criteria will determine the increase in its stake. These details should help define how the company intends to turn part of its growth into resources for public-benefit initiatives.
Valdir Antonelli is a journalist specializing in digital marketing and consumer issues.
