Dario Amodei-led Anthropic has reportedly turned to Christian religious leaders for advice as it looks to shape the ethical direction of its AI chatbot Claude, according to a report by The Washington Post.
The report said the company hosted around 15 Christian leaders from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, along with academics and business professionals, at its headquarters in late March. The two-day meeting included discussions and a private dinner with Anthropic researchers.
Anthropic seeks guidance on AI ethics and behaviour
During the sessions, Anthropic employees reportedly asked for input on how Claude should respond to complex ethical questions. Discussions included how the chatbot should interact with users dealing with grief, how it should handle conversations around self-harm, and what kind of moral framework should guide its responses.Participants also debated broader philosophical questions, including whether an AI system like Claude could be seen as having any form of spiritual value.“They’re growing something that they don’t fully know what it’s going to turn out as,” said Brendan McGuire, a Catholic priest who attended the meeting, as quoted in the report. “We’ve got to build ethical thinking into the machine so it’s able to adapt dynamically.”
Anthropic seeking guidance is part of its wider effort to shape AI responsibly
The report said the meeting is part of Anthropic’s broader effort to involve different groups as AI becomes more widely used. A company spokesperson said it is important to engage with a wide range of communities, including religious groups, as AI systems become more influential.Anthropic has been more vocal than many tech companies about the risks linked to advanced AI systems. Claude’s chatbot operates using a detailed internal structure, often called a “constitution,” which sets the rules for its behavior.The discussions also come at a time when AI companies are facing increased scrutiny over the impact of their tools, including concerns around safety, ethics and real-world harm. As per the Washington Post report, Anthropic plans to hold similar discussions with other religious and philosophical groups in the future.
