UK research agency chair to step down amid concerns over Anthropic role
By Patricia Figueiredo ( September 7, 2026, 17:42 GMT | Insight) -- The chair of the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, or ARIA, has announced his resignation following criticism his appointment to a new job at Anthropic last week would be a conflict of interest. Anthropic had said Matt Clifford's role engaging with governments would not conflict with his work at the UK state-funded agency. Clifford said he had agreed to remain at ARIA until Nov. 6 to allow the government to start looking for his successor.Matt Clifford, the chair of the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, or ARIA, has announced his resignation less than one week after Anthropic insisted his new role at the US company would not conflict with his work at the government-funded agency....
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