Ben Bernanke Joins Anthropic’s Long-Term Benefit Trust
Anthropic, a leader in artificial intelligence, announced on Thursday the appointment of former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to its long-term benefit trust.
Bernanke, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, was chairman of the Federal Reserve from 2006 to 2014, notably during the 2008 financial crisis. In his new role, he will advise company leadership on the societal risks and impacts of AI, while also playing a part in selecting members for the Humanity Council.
According to a press release from Anthropic, Bernanke will be joining an independent agency dedicated to the responsible development of advanced AI for the long-term advantage of humanity.
Anthropic did not immediately provide comments in response to inquiries from various outlets.
In a statement, Bernanke expressed his belief in the vast potential of AI, acknowledging the wide array of consequences that could emerge. “The way this potential materializes will largely depend on the institutions we establish around it,” he mentioned.
Bernanke emphasized that Anthropic has a distinct governance framework aimed at ensuring the long-term benefits of AI significantly outweigh its risks. “I’m honored to have this opportunity and look forward to contributing to this crucial mission,” he stated.
During his tenure as Fed Chairman, Bernanke was known for implementing the controversial quantitative easing (QE) monetary policy, which involved significant purchases of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities to boost money supply in the economy.
Since leaving the Federal Reserve, he has held positions with institutions like the Brookings Institution and Citadel. In 2022, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his research on the Great Depression.
With this appointment, Bernanke becomes the fourth member of the trust, joining Clinton Health Access Initiative CEO Neil Badi Shah, national security expert Richard Fontaine, and international affairs specialist Mariano Florentino Cuellar.
