As AI continues to gain ground in industries around the world, the big question everyone’s asking is: What will happen to our jobs?
While many in Silicon Valley are quick to highlight how AI can boost productivity and create brand new roles, others are worried it might do the opposite — take away work and widen the economic gap.
Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, seems to be listening. Last Friday, they rolled out a new initiative called the Economic Futures Program. The idea is simple but important: figure out what AI is really doing to the labor market, and help shape smart policies based on actual data — not just guesses.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
“We need more evidence-based conversations about AI’s impact — not just opinions,” said Sarah Heck, who leads policy programs at Anthropic.
She’s not alone in thinking that. Even Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, made headlines in May when he said AI could replace up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years. He warned this shift could push unemployment rates as high as 20%.
With predictions like that, it’s no surprise that Anthropic wants to dig deeper.
So What’s This Program About?
Anthropic’s Economic Futures Program is starting with a few clear goals:
- Support researchers studying how AI is affecting work, productivity, and economic value.
- Host forums for policymakers, academics, and thinkers to develop practical ideas.
- Collect and share data on how AI is changing different parts of the economy.
And they’re not wasting any time.
They’ve already opened up applications for grants of up to $50,000 to fund quick, high-quality research. They’re also planning two major events this fall — one in Washington, D.C., and another in Europe — to bring people together and brainstorm policy solutions.
Who Can Apply?
Anthropic is casting a wide net.
They’re looking for:
- Academics and researchers
- Independent economists
- Think tanks
- Policy professionals
- Even solo experts with a solid proposal
The main requirement? You need to deliver strong, actionable insights — ideally in six months or less. Peer-reviewed work isn’t required. What matters is speed, quality, and relevance.
Anthropic will also provide some support tools, like Claude API credits, to help participants run their research.
Not Just About Job Loss
While job displacement is a major part of the conversation, it’s not the only thing Anthropic wants to explore.
They’re also asking:
- What new types of jobs are showing up?
- How are workplaces adapting to AI-powered workflows?
- Which skills are staying valuable, and which ones are falling behind?
- How might AI reshape things like taxes or company value creation?
“It’s not all bad or all good,” said Heck. “We want to understand the full picture.”
A Different Path from OpenAI
Interestingly, this move by Anthropic comes just months after OpenAI released its own economic plan, called the AI Economic Blueprint.
But the two companies are taking slightly different routes.
OpenAI’s blueprint leans more toward supporting AI adoption — helping people learn AI tools, investing in data infrastructure, and promoting business growth. It doesn’t focus much on job loss or economic risk.
Anthropic, on the other hand, seems more focused on figuring out what’s actually happening, and being transparent about it. They’re positioning themselves not just as a creator of powerful tech — but as a responsible player trying to understand and manage its side effects.
Tech Companies Can’t Ignore the Fallout
Anthropic’s move is part of a broader shift we’re starting to see in the tech industry.
More companies are acknowledging that AI doesn’t just add value — it also moves it around. That means some people and regions could benefit a lot, while others could get left behind.
Other examples?
- Lyft recently launched a driver feedback forum as it starts testing robotaxis.
- Governments across the globe are rolling out AI ethics boards, public education programs, and training pipelines.
- Even small startups are beginning to include “impact” or “ethics” leads on their core teams.
These are small steps, but they show that change is happening.
Why This Matters
The fact is, AI isn’t just another productivity tool. It’s changing the structure of work and business in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
If we don’t start tracking those changes, we risk making blind decisions — or worse, creating policies that come too late.
Anthropic’s new program doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But it does aim to ask better questions, fund useful research, and give policymakers a clearer view of what’s ahead.
Final Thoughts
We’re still early in the AI era. A lot of the impact — both good and bad — is still unfolding.
But it’s refreshing to see a major AI company saying: Let’s slow down, look at the facts, and make smart choices.
If more tech firms followed suit, we might have a better shot at building an AI-powered future that works for everyone — not just a lucky few.