Artificial intelligence company Anthropic said it will allocate 5% of its shares to a fund dedicated to donations for the public good, with the announcement coming as the firm prepares for a potential stock market listing.
The fund could support nonprofit organisations and efforts to address the impact of AI on employment, Anthropic said. The company added that none of the shares held by the fund would be used for lobbying or political donations in the US or abroad. The firm's board could also direct a further 2% of shares to the fund at its discretion.
Anthropic's move reflects growing scrutiny of the AI industry over safety concerns and societal impact. In its initial public offering filing, the company stated that AI could pose catastrophic or existential risks to humanity, according to reports.
The company told prospective investors that its revenue grew 45% to $16.8bn in the three months to the end of September. Like other AI firms, Anthropic is seeking to demonstrate profitability despite substantial spending on technology development and infrastructure.
Research by the International Monetary Fund published in 2024 found that almost 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected by AI, rising to 60% in advanced economies. Many companies globally have cut thousands of jobs after investing in AI, citing improved efficiency.
For UK savers and investors, the listing could offer exposure to a company at the centre of AI development, though the nascent sector carries both opportunity and risk tied to regulatory and employment impacts.