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UK AI policy architect Matt Clifford steps down over Anthropic role
The chair of the UK government’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency said he will remain until Nov. 6 with safeguards to avoid conflicts, after MPs raised concerns.
Matt Clifford, the chair of the UK government’s “moonshot” science and technology research unit, has stepped down after concerns from senior lawmakers about a potential conflict of interest tied to his new full-time job at San Francisco-based AI firm Anthropic, according to the Guardian Business.
Clifford announced that he is moving to a role at Anthropic working on its engagement with governments outside the United States, including the UK. The report said he retained leadership at the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, which funds frontier science and technology projects, and that an earlier arrangement included recusal from Anthropic-related work at Aria.
His departure followed criticism, including from Chi Onwurah, the Labour chair of the Commons science, innovation and technology committee, who called it a clear conflict of interest in a letter to the AI minister, Kanishka Narayan. The outlet also reported that Clifford said his step down was intended to ensure his Anthropic role would not distract from Aria’s work, and that he will stay in place until Nov. 6 with safeguards.
The Guardian Business noted that the controversy has drawn attention to a revolving door between the UK government and AI companies, citing past moves by former officials including Rishi Sunak, George Osborne, and Nick Clegg, who were reported to have taken roles connected to Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta.