Anthropic has announced that it will allocate five per cent of its shares to a fund that will donate resources for the "public good". The announcement comes as the company prepares the ground for a potential stock market listing that could value it at more than 1 trillion dollars (around 750 billion pounds).
According to reports, Anthropic highlighted in its initial public offering (IPO) documentation that artificial intelligence could pose "catastrophic or existential risks to humanity". The company clarified that the proposed fund could support non-profit organisations and efforts aimed at addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on the labour market. Anthropic emphasised that no shares managed by the fund would be used for lobbying or political donations in the United States or abroad.
The Public Benefit Fund could receive an additional two per cent of the company's shares, at the discretion of its board. The statement was published on Sunday.
Elon Musk reacted to the announcement on social media with the message: "I recommend that the shares be given directly to the public." He added: "That is what I will do."
Last week, Anthropic informed potential investors that its revenue had jumped 45 per cent, to 16.8 billion dollars (around 12.6 billion pounds), in the three months ending in September.
Companies around the world, primarily in the technology sector, have laid off thousands of workers after investing in artificial intelligence, with many citing increased efficiency due to its application. Research by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published in 2024 showed that artificial intelligence will affect almost 40 per cent of jobs globally, while in advanced economies that share could reach 60 per cent.
