ARIA chair’s new role at Anthropic creates a “clear conflict of interest”

Matt Clifford, chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency and former prime ministerial advisor on AI, has joined Anthropic as managing director for international affairs. In a post on LinkedIn, Clifford says that he will lead the company’s work with governments outside North America.

The same statement confirms that he will stay on as chair of ARIA. Science committee chair Chi Onwurah has labelled this a “clear conflict of interest” given that the experimental funder invests public money in research, “much of its AI-related or AI-enabled.” She adds:

“While it is a matter of some concern that he is taking his knowledge, experience and government contacts to a leading global AI company, this is entirely within the rules, and we would not want to discourage movement between the public and private sectors.”

The Guardian reports that Clifford will “step back from any matter involving Anthropic at ARIA.” Science committee chair Onwurah has also called on AI minister Kanishka Narayan to set out safeguards to ensure continued public confidence in ARIA’s independence.