Richard Fontaine, a former foreign policy adviser to Senator John McCain and the president of the Center for A New American Security (CNAS) from 2012-2019, has been appointed to Anthropic’s long-term benefit trust. This appointment grants him a seat on the board without any financial interest in the company.
Board Composition
Fontaine will join other influential leaders on Anthropic’s board, including:
- Zachary Robinson: CEO of Centre for Effective Altruism
- Neil Buddy Shah: CEO of Clinton Health Access Initiative
- Kanika Bahl: President of Evidence Action
As a trustee, Fontaine will focus on shaping key decisions related to national security and AI development, without direct involvement in the company’s operations.
Role and Responsibilities
Fontaine’s role is not executive; instead, he will provide strategic guidance free from specific agendas or financial interests. His responsibilities include:
- Guiding key decisions on national security and AI development
- Collaborating with other trustees committed to aligning AI development with societal values
Anthropic’s Commitment to Responsible AI
Anthropic has faced scrutiny over its ties to Alphabet Inc. and Microsoft Corp. To address these concerns, the company has established its own long-term benefit trust. By appointing experienced leaders like Fontaine, Anthropic aims to:
- Demonstrate a commitment to responsible AI development
- Maintain independence from external influences
The Importance of Responsible AI Development
In recent years, AI research has gained significance for both military applications and commercial uses, such as search engines and virtual assistants. However, the rapid advancement of this technology raises concerns about potential misuse or unintended consequences if not developed responsibly.
By establishing its own long-term benefit trust, Anthropic emphasizes its priority on societal values over profit margins in decisions regarding the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
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