UK AI agency chair to leave after Anthropic conflict concerns

Matt Clifford will leave his position as chair of the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) on 6 November, after concerns were raised about his new full-time role at AI company Anthropic.

Clifford’s Anthropic work includes engagement with governments, including the UK. Anthropic said he would recuse himself from Anthropic-related business at Aria under an arrangement agreed with the government.

Clifford said he had decided to step down so his new role would not become a distraction from Aria’s work. He is expected to remain in post until his departure date, with safeguards intended to address potential conflicts.

Labour MP Chi Onwurah welcomed the decision but said questions remained about how the arrangement arose, what conflict-of-interest assessments were conducted and which safeguards were applied to protect confidence in Aria’s governance.

The case has renewed scrutiny of movement between government and major AI companies. Clifford has chaired Aria since 2022 and previously advised former prime minister Rishi Sunak and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The supplied material does not establish that Clifford breached any rules. The precise conflict assessment and safeguards have not been publicly detailed.