Reed Hastings Joins Anthropic’s Board to Advise on AI Safety and Societal Impact

Reed Hastings, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, has joined the board of directors at Anthropic, an AI safety and research company known for its focus on building reliable and aligned AI systems. The appointment was made by Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust around May 28, 2025, and reflects the organization’s growing emphasis on ethical governance and societal impact at the highest level of oversight.

Hastings brings decades of leadership experience in building and scaling global technology platforms. In addition to founding Netflix, he has held board positions at leading technology firms including Facebook (Meta) and Microsoft. According to Buddy Shah, Chair of the Long-Term Benefit Trust, Hastings was selected for his “impressive leadership experience, deep philanthropic work, and commitment to addressing AI’s societal challenges,” making him “uniquely qualified to guide Anthropic at this critical juncture in AI development.”

The move is consistent with Anthropic’s mission to build interpretable and steerable AI systems that benefit humanity. Hastings has increasingly focused his attention on the intersection of technology and ethics. Notably, he recently donated $50 million to Bowdoin College to launch a research initiative on AI and Humanity, aimed at understanding how AI is transforming work, relationships, and education while developing responsible frameworks for its use—issues that closely mirror Anthropic’s research agenda.

In a public statement, Hastings expressed support for Anthropic’s dual commitment to optimism and caution in AI development:

“Anthropic is very optimistic about the AI benefits for humanity, but is also very aware of the economic, social, and safety challenges. I’m joining Anthropic’s board because I believe in their approach to AI development, and to help humanity progress.”

Daniela Amodei, President of Anthropic, welcomed Hastings by highlighting his broader awareness of the societal responsibilities borne by tech companies:

“His focus on the human impact of technology—whether at Netflix or through his global health and education initiatives—makes him an ideal addition to our board as we continue building AI that helps rather than harms.”

The appointment of such a high-profile figure suggests that Anthropic is committed not only to technical excellence but also to embedding ethical foresight into its governance structures. Hastings’ experience straddling disruptive innovation and philanthropic engagement adds a distinctive perspective to the company’s board at a time when public and regulatory scrutiny of AI development is intensifying.

His presence may also influence broader industry norms, particularly around the composition and function of AI governance boards. As companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind expand the reach of advanced AI, integrating leadership that understands both the technological potential and societal responsibility may become a defining factor in building public trust—and long-term viability.