Anthropic to Allocate 5% of Its Shares to New Public Benefit Fund

Anthropic will transfer 5% of its shares to a newly established public benefit fund. The fund’s stake could grow as the company’s market value increases.

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has announced that it will allocate 5% of its shares to a new entity called the Anthropic Public Benefit Fund. According to the company’s announcement on Sunday, the fund’s financial resources could expand as the value of Anthropic’s shares rises.

In a blog post, the company said the new fund would provide greater flexibility and broader opportunities to finance initiatives aimed at public benefit. These could include substantial donations to traditional nonprofit organizations or direct financial distributions to certain population groups.

Anthropic identified research into the effects of artificial intelligence on the labor market and society as one of the fund’s potential areas of focus. Although the company has already allocated $200 million to research in this field, it said the rapid pace of AI development may require more ambitious approaches.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and the company’s five other co-founders established the business as a Public Benefit Corporation. This legal structure allows companies to pursue social and public benefits alongside their commercial objectives.

The company’s leaders have also pledged to donate 80% of their personal wealth to charitable causes. In addition, a share-donation program involving approximately half of Anthropic’s employees allows staff to donate shares, with the company matching their contributions.

With the creation of the new fund, Anthropic said approximately 20% of its shares would be dedicated to public benefit. The proportion could increase further if the company’s valuation reaches certain milestones.

Anthropic plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in November. The move could affect the company’s future market valuation and its ability to finance public benefit initiatives.