27 August 2026
Anthropic to fund research on AI and wellbeing
US – AI developer Anthropic has announced it is launching a $5m grant programme to fund evaluations of how AI impacts users’ wellbeing.
The scheme will offer direct funding for independent research and access to the company’s models. Grantees building open-om Anthropic
Researchers who develop evaluations will publish their work as open-
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People are using AI systems to seek companionship and access mental health guidance, but the AI industry does not have clear standards for how AI models should behave in these conversations
While there is not yet scientific consensus on the impacts of AI due to technological developments outpacing studies, health organisations have warned that it poses significant risks to mental health and wellbeing
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There have also been several high-profile media reports relating to the harm AI usage has caused young people in particular
Anthropic currently publishes its own research on the types of conversations people have with Claude, and says it uses this to inform how it develops and evaluates safeguards and other protective measures. It says it wants to fund more independent research to get more input in the field from clinicians, psychologists and methodologists.
The company haspublished details of what is seeking from wellbeing evaluations applying for the grant programme, with applications due by 21st September.
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