Anthropic announced Wednesday that it has appointed experimental physicist Christopher Stubbs to its long-term benefit trust, which will help select members of the company’s board of directors and advise management.
Mr. Stubbs is a professor of physics and astronomy at Harvard University, where he previously served as dean of science. His research explores topics such as gravitational physics, dark matter, dark energy, and observational cosmology, according to Harvard University’s website. Mr. Stubbs was the first physicist to join the Anthropic’s Trust.
“I use AI tools in research every day, and the doors they are opening for science are incredible,” Stubbs wrote in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday. “As a teacher, I also face some of the challenging questions they raise. As a grandfather, I want to ensure that the generation that grew up with AI is better off with it.”
Stubbs’ appointment comes as Anthropic prepares for what is widely expected to be a major IPO. The company confidentially filed a prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June and has been meeting with prospective investors in recent weeks. Anthropic announced on Sunday that it plans to contribute 5% of its stock to a new public benefit fund, with more likely to be added at the board’s discretion.
Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust is financially independent from the company’s management and investors and has the power to appoint a “majority” of Anthropic’s board of directors, according to a blog post. The company said the board also advises board members and other leadership, particularly on the “social impact of AI.”
In addition to Stubbs, Anthropic’s trust also includes former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Clinton Health Access Initiative CEO Neil Badi Shah and national security expert Richard Fontaine.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to help accomplish this important work,” Stubbs said.
WATCH: Anthropic announces public benefit fund with 5% stake
