Anthropic has released a 10,000‑word constitution that serves as the core ethical guide for its Claude language model. The public CC0‑licensed document outlines Claude’s values, safety protocols, and decision‑making hierarchy, positioning it as the definitive reference for the model’s behavior and alignment strategy. It aims to improve reliability in high‑stakes scenarios and provide a transparent framework for developers and regulators.
What the Constitution Covers
The constitution is a holistic document that defines the context in which Claude operates. It specifies the values Claude must embody—helpfulness, safety, ethical compliance, and respect for human oversight—and offers guidance on navigating trade‑offs such as honesty versus compassion or the protection of sensitive information.
Creation and Purpose
Anthropic’s internal philosopher‑researcher authored the constitution to help increasingly capable AI systems generalize ethical reasoning to novel situations rather than rely solely on rule‑following. The document is written primarily for Claude, giving the model the knowledge it needs to act responsibly and serving as the final authority on desired behavior.
Transparency and Public Access
By publishing the full text under a CC0 1.0 deed, Anthropic removes legal barriers to reuse. Researchers, developers, and policymakers can read, adapt, and incorporate the constitution, enabling external observers to distinguish between intended and unintended model behavior and to provide informed feedback.
Implications for AI Alignment
If Claude consistently follows the constitution, it could demonstrate more reliable behavior in ambiguous or high‑stakes contexts where current LLMs sometimes produce harmful content. The hierarchical design—placing safety and human oversight above company‑specific policies—may simplify compliance for enterprise users aligning AI outputs with internal governance frameworks.
Future Outlook
Anthropic treats the constitution as a living artifact. The organization plans to iterate on the document as Claude evolves, updating it to reflect new safety research, emerging societal norms, and community feedback. This ongoing refinement aims to keep the ethical framework current and effective.
