How Anthropic uses a written constitution to guide its AI

Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, uses a written set of principles it calls a constitution to guide its AI. The Financial Times looked at the approach in a technology piece published on October 27, 2026. The idea is simple: put the rules in writing, and let them shape how the chatbot behaves.

What it is

A constitution, in this sense, is a document of principles. It is meant to steer what the AI does and does not do. Anthropic makes Claude, a chatbot that answers questions and helps with tasks. The written rules sit behind the tool and affect its answers, even if users never see them.

Who it affects

Anyone who uses an AI chatbot is touched by rules like these. They help decide what a tool will refuse, what it will say and how it treats your data. For a business, that can matter before the tool is built into daily work. For a family, it can matter before a child or parent starts relying on it.

What is not known yet

The full text of the Financial Times article was not available, so the details of the constitution are not covered here. That includes what the principles say, how they are applied and how well they work in practice. Claims about results should wait until those details are clear.

What to do

• Read the published rules or policies of any AI tool before relying on it.
• Check what the tool says about how it handles your data.
• Notice what it refuses to do and whether that fits your needs.