Anthropic says it will commit 5% of its shares to 'public benefit fund'
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What's this about?
The announcement comes as Anthropic lays the ground for a blockbuster stock market listing.
The one-panel cartoon
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A high-end stock exchange trading floor with large screens displaying tech stocks, where a broker looks bewildered at a newswire announcing 'Anthropic Shares for Public Benefit,' with a small, ironic plaque on the floor that reads 'Shareholder Profits First.'
Caption: Now with 95% less altruism
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on bbc.co.uk.
Editor's note
While it's refreshing to see a company like Anthropic attempt to address public concerns about the potential misuse of AI, committing just 5% of its shares to a public benefit fund seems like a mere token gesture, especially given the vast wealth it stands to generate from its IPO. It's hard not to view this as a public relations move rather than a genuine effort to mitigate the risks associated with AI development.
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Read the script
Panel 1
Anthropic is an AI research company known for developing advanced language models and ethical AI frameworks. They are currently preparing for a significant stock market listing. The irony lies in a company that is preparing for a lucrative public listing suddenly announcing a modest allocation of shares to a public benefit fund. The announcement feels more like a PR move than a genuine commitment to public benefit. The highlight is the absurdity of a for-profit company trying to appear altruistic by allocating a tiny fraction of its shares to a public benefit fund while the rest of the company reaps significant financial benefits. ---
Panel 2
*The boardroom of Anthropic, a sleek modern space with a large conference table. A senior executive is presenting to a group of investors and executives.* Investor (rolling eyes) ---
Executive: Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that 5% of our shares will be allocated to a public benefit fund.
Investor: Uh-huh, and how much is that exactly?
Executive: It's a significant portion.
Investor: Really? Like, 50 million dollars?
Executive: Well, not exactly. But it's a start.
Panel 3
*The same boardroom, a few minutes later. The senior executive is now addressing a small group of employees, who look skeptical.* Employee (sarcastically) ---
Executive: We're putting 5% of our shares into a public benefit fund. It's a way to give back.
Employee: Sure, I can see it now. The homeless are gonna line up for our AI-generated poetry.
Executive: The point is, it’s a commitment to ethical AI.
Employee: And the other 95% is?
Executive: That's for our future growth and shareholders.
Panel 4
*Outside the boardroom, the executive is talking to a journalist, who is holding a microphone.* Journalist (looking at the executive skeptically) Executive (smiling uncomfortably) Executive (deadpan)
Journalist: So, this 5% public benefit fund, is it really making a difference?
Executive: Absolutely. It’s the first step in our commitment to ethical AI.
Journalist: Right. And the other 95%?
Executive: That’s for our growth and future success.
Journalist: And that doesn't include ethical AI?
Executive: Not directly. But we’re dedicated to both.
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