Anthropic writes Constitution for Claude it thinks will soon be proven misguided (www.theregister.com)

Anthropic has unveiled an extensive 23,000-word "constitution" for its Claude AI models, significantly expanding upon a previous version that contained just 2,700 words. This new document aims to clarify Claude's operations by defining its values, behavioral principles, and potential emotional understanding. Anthropic describes Claude as a novel entity that warrants careful ethical considerations, signaling a shift in how AI should be perceived and treated, potentially even likening it to moral patients that require a duty of care. The significance of this development lies in its ambition to instill a framework that encourages Claude to act safely, ethically, and helpfully, while remaining aligned with the company’s operational goals. The constitution emphasizes the need for Claude to prioritize its guiding values when faced with conflicting directives, implying a nuanced approach to AI behavior that transcends simple rule-following. Anthropic anticipates that as AI systems become increasingly influential, documents like this constitution will play a critical role in guiding their development and ensuring they embody the best qualities of humanity.