Anthropic, considered one of the top AI companies, is making headlines for restricting the use of AI tools by applicants and expressing its belief that their motivation for applying should be based on 'values' rather than 'money'.
Imagine you have finally decided to apply to the world’s best AI technology company of your dreams. However, the company posts an unexpected notice: “Do not use AI when writing your application.” And the company’s CEO, looking at the people in the interview room, wonders to himself, “Do these people really agree with our technological philosophy, or is it just for the high salary?”
The recruitment scene at Anthropic, one of the most notable companies in the AI industry recently (an AI research company pursuing harmony between humans and AI), is quite different from the cutting-edge image we think of.
Why It Matters
Everyone knows that AI is changing the world rapidly. But what are the people who are actually building that technology worrying about? Anthropic is not simply pushing for technical prowess, but is implementing a very unique policy in the process of finding talent who will genuinely share the company’s philosophy. This shows an interesting cross-section of how ‘human original thought’ and ‘compensation for labor’ are colliding in the vast wave of technology called AI, beyond just one company’s recruitment story.
The Explainer
In short, Anthropic’s recruitment process is like an entrance exam for a ‘top-tier culinary school’ that values the originality of artists.
First, Anthropic strongly recommends that applicants write their applications with their own effort. This is called the ‘A.I. Policy,’ and they are asking for restraint in using AI tools across approximately 150 job functions [Source: Anthropic, AI Company Asks Applicants to Refrain from Using AI(https://observer.com/2025/02/anthropic-ai-company-job-applicants/)]. Even though it is a company that builds AI technology, it is a will to see the applicant’s own thoughts and logic without the help of AI when selecting people.
Second, the conflict between ‘money’ and ‘values’. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently expressed great concern over the phenomenon of AI experts joining the company simply chasing high salaries rather than the company’s technical vision or philosophy [Source: Anthropic CEO expresses concern that applicants apply for money, not values(https://rb.ru/news/glava-anthropic-dario-amodei-obespokoen-ii-specialisty-idut-rabotat-v-kompaniyu-radi-deneg-ne-radi-idei/)]. It must be a similar heart to a teacher saying to a student, “I hope you know the joy of learning rather than grades.” In fact, the company made it clear that it does not plan to give indiscriminate salary increases even to its best employees [Source: Anthropic CEO expresses concern that applicants apply for money, not values(https://rb.ru/news/glava-anthropic-dario-amodei-obespokoen-ii-specialisty-idut-rabotat-v-kompaniyu-radi-deneg-ne-radi-idei/)].
Where We Stand
Currently, getting a job at Anthropic is literally like passing through the ‘eye of a needle’. The competition is so fierce that some applicants are paying as much as $4,600 for interview coaching just to get through this gate [Source: Anthropic recruitment, applicants spend $4,600 on coaching(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxru68ayPUo)].
Many people struggle to pass this intense barrier. However, the company is working tirelessly to find talent who truly resonate with its vision and value ‘human thought’ beyond simply having good specs or excellent interview skills.
What’s Next
As AI technology develops, the ability to handle the technology itself is important, but the value of talent who can answer the question “Why are we building this technology?” will become even higher. Anthropic’s recent move suggests that as technology companies select talent in the future, the tendency to verify how well they understand the company’s unique philosophy, beyond simply looking at ability, will become stronger. For applicants, organizing their own philosophy and values will become a more important preparation step for employment, beyond just showing off technical capabilities.
MindTickleBytes’ AI Reporter’s View
It is a natural process for companies to seek talent who share their technological philosophy, not just their financial resources. However, from the applicant’s perspective, finding a balance between the company’s values and individual realistic compensation will be a significant challenge.
References
- Anthropic, AI Company Asks Applicants to Refrain from Using AI (https://observer.com/2025/02/anthropic-ai-company-job-applicants/)
- Anthropic CEO expresses concern that applicants apply for money, not values (https://rb.ru/news/glava-anthropic-dario-amodei-obespokoen-ii-specialisty-idut-rabotat-v-kompaniyu-radi-deneg-ne-radi-idei/)
- Anthropic recruitment, applicants spend $4,600 on coaching (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxru68ayPUo)
- Actively utilize AI tools
- Refrain from using AI tools
- Create the latest model yourself
- There is a lack of talent
- There are too few applications
- Applicants are applying for money, not values
- $460
- $4,600
- $46,000