Jack Clark, a former Bloomberg reporter turned AI safety expert, is poised to become a billionaire following Anthropic’s recent $60 billion valuation. Clark’s remarkable journey began in 2016 when he made the controversial decision to leave his stable position at Bloomberg to join the then-obscure nonprofit OpenAI, despite his editor’s strong objections.
At the time, OpenAI was less than a year old and primarily known for Elon Musk’s financial backing. Clark’s editor argued the move was risky, questioning OpenAI’s direction and financial sustainability. However, Clark’s passion for artificial intelligence and his vision for the technology’s future drove him to take the leap.
During his four-year tenure at OpenAI, Clark became an influential AI safety expert and advisor, coauthoring several research papers and building Import AI, one of the most popular AI newsletters followed by researchers worldwide. He served in strategy, communications, and eventually as policy director, advocating for deeper engagement with AI research papers to understand the technology’s trajectory.
In 2020, Clark left OpenAI and resurfaced as one of seven cofounders of Anthropic, a startup launched by former OpenAI employees. The company has rapidly emerged as a major competitor to OpenAI in the generative AI and large language model space. Anthropic has secured backing from tech giants Amazon and Google, along with leading venture capital firms.
According to recent reports from The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, Anthropic’s $60 billion valuation positions all seven cofounders, including Clark, to achieve billionaire status. When approached for an interview about his newfound wealth, Clark characteristically deflected, saying it was “really not my style.”
Clark is described as one of the “gentlest, kindest, and most self-deprecating people” in the AI industry—hardly typical billionaire material. His success story represents a testament to following conviction over conventional wisdom, taking calculated risks, and maintaining unwavering focus on emerging technology. Back in 2015, when AI was far from mainstream consciousness, Clark was already obsessed with the technology and constantly advocated for more AI coverage at Bloomberg.
Key Quotes
Just read the research papers
Jack Clark’s consistent advice to his former editor on how to learn about AI and find better stories. This approach reflected Clark’s deep engagement with AI research and his belief that the most valuable insights come from primary sources rather than secondary coverage.
Haha, Ali, thanks, but really not my style
Clark’s response when asked for an interview about becoming a billionaire through Anthropic’s $60 billion valuation. This reaction exemplifies his characteristically humble and self-deprecating personality, which stands in stark contrast to typical tech billionaire personas.
I met Dario in 2015 when I went to a conference you were at, and I tried to interview you, and Google PR said I would’ve read all of your research papers
Clark reminiscing with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei about their first meeting, highlighting the long relationships and shared history among AI researchers who have shaped the industry over the past decade.
Our Take
Clark’s transformation represents a masterclass in recognizing transformative technology early and having the courage to act on conviction. His decision in 2016 to join OpenAI seemed irrational to outside observers, but it reflected deep understanding of AI’s trajectory that most people lacked. What’s particularly notable is Clark’s focus on AI safety and policy rather than purely commercial applications—suggesting that even within the AI gold rush, there’s room for mission-driven approaches to create enormous value. His humble response to billionaire status also offers a refreshing counterpoint to typical Silicon Valley ego. The broader lesson: expertise, timing, and willingness to take calculated risks on emerging technologies can generate life-changing outcomes. As AI continues reshaping industries, Clark’s story will likely inspire others to make similar leaps, though few will time it as perfectly.
Why This Matters
Jack Clark’s journey from journalist to AI billionaire illustrates the explosive growth and value creation in the artificial intelligence sector over the past decade. His story highlights how early believers in AI technology who positioned themselves at pioneering companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have reaped extraordinary rewards.
The $60 billion valuation of Anthropic underscores the intense competition in the generative AI and large language model space, with multiple well-funded players challenging for dominance. The backing from Amazon and Google demonstrates how tech giants are hedging their bets across different AI platforms.
Clark’s emphasis on AI safety and his role as a policy director reflects the growing importance of responsible AI development as these technologies become more powerful. His success also validates the career path of moving from journalism into the technology sector, particularly for those with deep domain expertise. For the broader AI industry, stories like Clark’s attract talent and investment, while also raising questions about wealth concentration in a field that will fundamentally reshape society and the economy.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-jack-clark-anthropic-ai-billionaire-2025-1