Anthropic hires architect of UK AI policy as MPs warn of 'clear conflict of interest'
Matt Clifford plans to keep role as ARIA chair while leading the LLM maker's dealings with governments outside North America
The UK Parliament's Science and Technology Committee has called on the government to clarify its plans to prevent conflicts of interest following Anthropic's hiring of Matt Clifford, chair of the research agency ARIA. Clifford, who will manage Anthropic's international affairs, was also tasked with creating the government's AI Opportunities Action Plan in July 2024. The government adopted all 50 recommendations of this plan and appointed Clifford as its AI Opportunities Adviser in January 2025.
Dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the committee, acknowledged Clifford's valuable contributions to UK AI policy but expressed concern over his potential conflicts of interest. She noted that his continued chairmanship of ARIA, a taxpayer-funded research body with much AI-related work, creates a clear conflict of interest. The committee is awaiting further guidance from the AI Minister on safeguards to ensure ARIA's independence.
Clifford plans to step back from other roles but remains as Chair of ARIA and will continue to chair the research agency. He will work with governments across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond from his new position at Anthropic in London.
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