Anthropic recruits Orange's AI leader as it speeds up its expansion in Europe.

      Steve Jarrett, who has served as Orange's chief AI officer since 2019, will be joining the Claude developer in Paris at the end of August to tailor its products for the European and African markets. The head of artificial intelligence at the French telecom company Orange is making the transition to Anthropic, aligning with the US firm’s efforts to expand in Europe. Jarrett confirmed his acceptance of a role at the company that creates the Claude models, although he did not reveal his new position. He is set to begin on August 25 and will be based in Paris, as reported by Reuters through a LinkedIn post. Initially, his role will involve assisting Anthropic in "better understanding and adapting" its offerings to the requirements of the European and African markets. With over six years of experience leading AI for a European telecom, he is well-acquainted with the landscape that Anthropic aims to navigate.

      Orange, however, will not be left without leadership in AI. Just a day before the news broke, the operator appointed Usman Javaid, who is currently the chief product and marketing officer at its B2B subsidiary Orange Business, as the new group chief AI officer, effective September 1, as reported by TelecomTV. Javaid will report to Bruno Zerbib, the group chief technology and innovation officer, and has a background that includes roles at Orange Business, Vodafone, and AWS, covering areas such as cloud, IoT, and network strategy.

      The timing of the succession announcement, coming almost simultaneously with Jarrett's departure, creates a neat transition that is often rare in corporate shifts. For Anthropic, this hiring is just one aspect of its rapid expansion. The company recently opened its sixth European office in Milan last month, adding to its existing locations in Paris and Munich. It has expressed intentions to triple its international workforce while also preparing for a public offering this year.

      The rationale behind recruiting a lead AI talent from a telecom is clear. Anthropic develops advanced models, and companies like Orange represent significant potential customers and partners, particularly within the European and African regions that Jarrett is set to navigate. By hiring someone who has overseen AI from the buyer’s perspective, Anthropic aims to bring in that crucial insight directly.

      This recruitment aligns with a broader trend at Anthropic, which has been actively acquiring senior talent from across the industry, including individuals from OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and xAI. While Jarrett's hire may not be as high-profile as some of these others, its significance lies in its focus on a specific area and type of client rather than sheer research capability. Anthropic has yet to clarify Jarrett's exact title and the extent of his responsibilities. For now, the confirmed facts are straightforward: a notable European AI executive is transitioning to a new company, which is rapidly expanding and seeking to establish a stronger foothold in the continent that Jarrett knows well. His start date is set for late August.