On January 21, 2026, Anthropic announced that Mariano‑Florentino (Tino) Cuéllar has been appointed as a member of its Long‑Term Benefit Trust (LTBT), the independent body established to help the company pursue its public benefit mission. The Trust participates in selecting members of Anthropic’s Board of Directors and advises the Board and leadership on maximizing the benefits of advanced AI while mitigating its risks.
Background and expertise
Mariano‑Florentino Cuéllar brings extensive experience in law, governance and international affairs. He has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of California, led the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, and is currently President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Cuéllar has announced plans to step down from Carnegie in July 2026 and return to Stanford to lead the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences and the Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program.
He has served in three U.S. presidential administrations and currently chairs the board of the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation. Cuéllar’s career spans issues including immigration, criminal justice, public health and regulatory reform, with a recurring focus on how technology affects public institutions and democratic governance. His work on AI governance includes co‑leading California’s Working Group on AI Frontier Models with Fei‑Fei Li and serving on the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Social and Ethical Implications of Computing Research.
Statements from Trust and Anthropic leaders
Neil Buddy Shah, Chair of the Long‑Term Benefit Trust, said that as AI becomes a defining element of geopolitical competition—reshaping economies, security and the balance of power—the Trust requires leaders who understand those dynamics. Shah added that Cuéllar’s legal, governance and international affairs background will be valuable as Anthropic navigates rapidly accelerating AI adoption by governments and institutions.
Cuéllar commented that the unprecedented pace of AI capability growth makes governance structures that combine private‑sector dynamism with civic responsibility more urgent than ever. He praised Anthropic’s leadership for taking seriously the societal implications of their work—beyond the technology itself to global security, democratic institutions and human welfare—and said he was honored to contribute his experience to the Trust’s work.
Daniela Amodei, President of Anthropic, welcomed Cuéllar to the Trust and highlighted his ability to work across law, government, academia and technology. Amodei said that as AI systems grow more capable, leaders who have spent their careers reflecting on technology’s role in society are increasingly important.
Departures of founding trustees
The Trust also announced that Kanika Bahl and Zachary Robinson have concluded their terms. Both joined the Trust at its founding and played significant roles in defining its position within Anthropic’s governance. Neil Buddy Shah noted their partnership since the Trust’s establishment in 2023 and credited them with helping to build the LTBT, including participating in appointing board members such as Jay Kreps and Reed Hastings who strengthened Anthropic’s governance.
Kanika Bahl, CEO & President of Evidence Action, said serving on the Long‑Term Benefit Trust was a privilege during a pivotal time for both Anthropic and the AI field, and praised Anthropic’s seriousness about safety and societal benefit. Zachary Robinson, CEO of the Centre for Effective Altruism, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve during the Trust’s formative years and conveyed well wishes for Anthropic’s continued pursuit of its mission.
Why this matters
Anthropic is a Public Benefit Corporation whose stated mission is to ensure a safe transition through transformative AI. The Long‑Term Benefit Trust exists to help realize that mission by providing independent oversight and guidance; Trustees are selected by existing Trustees in consultation with Anthropic and do not hold financial stakes in the company. The Trust’s composition reflects the recognition that transformative AI will have implications beyond technology and business, affecting global health, international security and society at large.
Announcement date: January 21, 2026
Referenced people and organizations (full names on first mention)
- Mariano‑Florentino (Tino) Cuéllar
- Anthropic
- Long‑Term Benefit Trust (LTBT)
- Stanford University Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences
- Knight‑Hennessy Scholars Program
- William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
- Fei‑Fei Li
- National Academy of Sciences Committee on Social and Ethical Implications of Computing Research
- Neil Buddy Shah
- Kanika Bahl
- Zachary Robinson
- Daniela Amodei
- Evidence Action
- Jay Kreps
- Reed Hastings
- Centre for Effective Altruism
