Reed Hastings Joins Anthropic Board to Help Navigate AI Challenges
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings has been appointed to Anthropic’s board by its Long Term Benefit Trust, highlighting his expertise in tech and social impact.
Aino Lehtinen 
Strategic Addition to Guide AI Development with Societal Focus
Anthropic, an artificial intelligence research company known for its focus on building steerable and interpretable AI systems, has welcomed a new voice to its board of directors. The company’s Long Term Benefit Trust has appointed Reed Hastings, co-founder and longtime CEO of Netflix, to serve on its board. The decision reflects Anthropic’s intention to incorporate experienced perspectives that blend technology development with social responsibility.
Long-Term Vision Backed by Educational and Global Initiatives
Hastings brings more than just corporate leadership experience to the table. Over the years, he has invested heavily in educational equity and international development. He is known for his longstanding support of KIPP, a network of charter schools serving underprivileged communities in the United States, and his role in initiatives like One Acre Fund in Kenya, which provides resources to smallholder farmers. In Rwanda, he has championed efforts to improve digital inclusion, helping to subsidize smartphone access at significantly reduced costs.
More recently, Hastings made a $50 million donation to Bowdoin College to support research into the intersection of AI and humanity. This initiative aims to explore how AI is reshaping work, relationships, and education, while also fostering the development of ethical frameworks around its deployment. His recent focus aligns closely with Anthropic’s research interests and broader mission.
A Board Appointment with Purpose
According to Buddy Shah, Chair of the Long Term Benefit Trust, Hastings was selected for his track record in leadership, philanthropy, and his awareness of the societal challenges tied to AI progress. Shah emphasized that Hastings’ involvement is not just about governance but about contributing to a broader strategy that centers human impact alongside technical innovation.
Daniela Amodei, President of Anthropic, said Hastings has consistently shown a deep understanding of how technology can influence people's lives, whether through streaming content or by investing in educational systems. His history of scaling Netflix into a global enterprise while simultaneously engaging in public-good projects gives him a grounded perspective on how emerging technologies should serve society.
A View from Inside the Transformation
In his remarks about the appointment, Hastings shared his belief in Anthropic’s approach to AI, noting the company’s cautious optimism about its potential. He acknowledged both the promise and the risks associated with AI development and expressed his interest in helping steer efforts that ensure technology remains beneficial.
His presence on the board adds not just executive insight but a comprehensive awareness of what it takes to guide transformative technologies through complex social and ethical landscapes. For Anthropic, it represents a step toward building governance structures that reflect its mission to balance innovation with responsibility.
