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 expressed concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest involving Anthropic's hiring of Matt Clifford, chair of the blue-sky research agency ARIA. Clifford, who will serve as managing director of international affairs for the US AI company, was appointed to lead the company's work with governments outside North America.
Clifford was commissioned to write the AI Opportunities Action Plan in July 2024, which the government adopted all 50 recommendations of in January 2025. He was subsequently appointed as the AI Opportunities Adviser. Additionally, Clifford chairs ARIA and the Entrepreneurs First venture capital and seed funding company.
Dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, acknowledged Clifford's significant contribution to UK AI policy but highlighted the conflict of interest arising from his intention to remain as Chair of ARIA. The committee is awaiting a response from the AI Minister on robust safeguards and clear boundaries to ensure ARIA's independence.
Clifford plans to recuse himself from matters involving Anthropic at the agency. He stated his commitment to working on AI's major questions for governments and countries, emphasizing the need for industry, governments, and civil society to collaborate.
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