Anthropic Appoints National Security Expert to Strengthen AI Governance

Anthropic, a leading AI company, has appointed Richard Fontaine, a seasoned national security expert, to its long-term benefit trust, a governance body focused on prioritizing safety over profit. Fontaine, who previously advised Sen. John McCain and led the Center for a New American Security, joins other notable figures, including Zachary Robinson of the Centre for Effective Altruism.
Fontaine’s appointment follows Anthropic’s recent announcement of new AI models designed for U.S. national security applications. CEO Dario Amodei emphasized that Fontaine’s expertise is critical as AI increasingly intersects with national security. “Ensuring democratic nations maintain leadership in responsible AI development is essential for global security,” Amodei said.
Anthropic is expanding its presence in the defense sector, partnering with Palantir and AWS to sell AI tools to defense customers. Other top AI labs, including OpenAI, Meta, and Google, are also pursuing defense contracts.
This move aligns with Anthropic’s broader strategy to strengthen its executive team. In May, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings joined the company’s board, signaling its focus on scaling responsibly in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Published: 6/7/2025