Anthropic, the AI startup behind Claude, is making a notable pivot on its investment policy, with CEO Dario Amodei revealing in an internal memo to employees that the company will now seek funding from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
This candid admission highlights a pragmatic shift, acknowledging that principles sometimes bend under business pressures.
A Transparent Justification
In a memo obtained by WIRED, Amodei openly addresses the turnaround. He concedes that such investments might enrich dictators but argues that adhering to a strict “no bad actors should profit from our success” principle is a tough foundation for building a company. This marks a departure from Anthropic’s earlier stance, reflecting the harsh realities of scaling an AI venture.
From Rejection to Reluctant Acceptance
In 2024, Anthropic rejected Saudi Arabian funding over national security concerns. Amodei now frames this as an “erosion of standards,” noting that competitors like OpenAI have already embraced data center projects in the region, putting Anthropic at a disadvantage. If the industry is playing by new rules, staying on the sidelines becomes untenable, he suggests.
A Shift from Ideals
This move contrasts with Amodei’s earlier essay, “Machines of Loving Grace,” where he emphasized democratic control over AI development. Anthropic’s founding vision of “constitutional AI” — prioritizing ethical governance — seems to be softening. Amodei now points to the “truly massive capital” in the Gulf — potentially over $100 billion —arguing that access is crucial to remain at the cutting edge.
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Echoes of the Past
This pivot evokes memories of another tech giant that quietly shelved its “Do no evil” motto. As the pace of innovation accelerates, Anthropic’s evolution suggests that even the most principled startups may find it hard to resist the allure of Gulf wealth in today’s fast-moving landscape.
