Anthropic’s general counsel announces new role as ‘international special envoy’
Jeffrey Bleich, Anthropic’s general counsel, has transitioned to a new role as the company’s “international special envoy.” This move, announced by Bleich on LinkedIn, will see him working with governments globally on artificial intelligence policy. Bleich emphasized the critical nature of current AI policy decisions, stating they will shape the technology’s development for decades. He joined Anthropic approximately a year ago and previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Australia under former President Barack Obama. Elena Leichty, Anthropic’s associate general counsel, will succeed him in the general counsel position.
Anthropic’s appointment of Jeffrey Bleich as an international special envoy for AI policy reflects a growing focus on global regulatory engagement by major AI developers. Bleich, a former U.S. ambassador to Australia, brings a background in both law and diplomacy to this new role, which will involve working with governments worldwide. This development points to the increasing importance of shaping AI governance frameworks, particularly as nations across Asia consider their own regulatory approaches to the technology. For Asian markets, this suggests that companies like Anthropic will be more actively involved in policy discussions, potentially influencing how AI is adopted and regulated in the region. The focus on "decisions being made around AI policy right now, in capitals on every continent" indicates a proactive stance to navigate diverse regulatory landscapes. This could lead to more direct engagement with policymakers in countries like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, which are developing their own AI strategies and ethical guidelines.
Related reading
6 storiesNo need to destroy books in Singapore to legally use them for training AI, say experts
Experts in Singapore recently weighed in on the legalities of using copyrighted material for AI training, a key policy discussion.

People’s Daily rejects US claims of malicious AI distillation, warns of countermeasures

Databricks to Invest Over US$350 Million in Singapore, Double Its Workforce

Personetics Launches AI Banking Console for Relationship Managers

Anthropic Sets October Launch for Singapore Office With Local Hiring Planned

