Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark has warned that rapidly advancing artificial intelligence could reshape the global economy, accelerate scientific discoveries and create major risks, with one internal AI model projecting that US economic output could approach $44 trillion by 2030.
Speaking at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok on Saturday, Clark said AI development was progressing faster than policymakers could respond, making international cooperation and stronger regulations increasingly urgent.
The company's internal forecast suggests US gross domestic product (GDP) could rise nearly 50% from its current level of just over $30 trillion under favorable conditions. Such an expansion would require roughly 10% annual growth over four years, assuming a $30 trillion starting point.
Clark acknowledged the projection was ambitious but argued that continued improvements in AI capabilities could unlock entirely new industries, inventions and scientific breakthroughs.
His comments come as Anthropic prepares for a potential November initial public offering that could value the AI company at up to $2 trillion.
Clark warned that AI development could eventually reach a technological "singularity," where progress accelerates beyond humanity's ability to maintain effective oversight.
He said increasingly powerful AI systems could revolutionize mathematics, engineering, medicine and biological research by allowing scientists to work alongside hundreds or thousands of AI assistants.
Countries could also participate in the AI-driven economic transformation by expanding data center infrastructure and computing capacity, he added.
However, Clark emphasized that the same capabilities enabling scientific advances could introduce serious security threats, particularly involving biological and cyber weapons.
He called for strict human supervision and transparency in AI-assisted biological research, warning that governments have only a few years to establish effective safeguards before the technology becomes substantially more powerful.
AI's potential economic impact was a central discussion at the IMF and World Bank meetings, where officials weighed productivity gains against financial instability, elevated technology stock valuations and employment disruption.
Clark acknowledged that artificial intelligence was already eliminating some positions in customer service and call centers. Nevertheless, he suggested AI could strengthen employment in scientific fields and generate entirely new categories of jobs.
While AI remains under human control, Clark stressed that governments must act quickly to balance unprecedented economic opportunities with emerging technological risks.
