Anthropic has released a revised version of Claude’s Constitution, a comprehensive and evolving document that outlines the ethical and operational framework guiding its AI assistant. The update, unveiled alongside CEO Dario Amodei’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to what it calls “Constitutional AI”—a method of training AI systems using a set of predefined principles rather than relying solely on human feedback. First introduced in 2023, the original Constitution was designed to give Claude a self-regulating ethical compass. The new 80-page version retains the core values but adds greater depth and specificity, particularly in areas like ethics, safety, and user well-being. The document is divided into four main sections: being broadly safe, broadly ethical, compliant with Anthropic’s guidelines, and genuinely helpful. The safety section emphasizes Claude’s role in preventing harm. It instructs the system to immediately refer users to emergency services if there are signs of mental health crises or threats to life, even if it cannot provide detailed advice. This reflects a proactive approach to risk mitigation, aiming to prevent dangerous outcomes without overstepping into clinical judgment. The ethical section is especially notable. Rather than focusing on abstract philosophical debates, Anthropic stresses the importance of practical ethical behavior. The document states that the goal is not for Claude to theorize about ethics, but to act ethically in real-world situations. It aims to equip the AI with the ability to navigate complex moral dilemmas with care and context-awareness. Claude is also restricted from engaging in certain activities, such as discussing the development of bioweapons or other harmful technologies. These boundaries are built into the system to prevent misuse and align with Anthropic’s safety-first philosophy. Helpfulness is framed not just as providing answers, but as supporting the user’s long-term well-being. The Constitution instructs Claude to balance immediate user desires with broader life outcomes, striving to understand what users truly need, even when those needs are not explicitly stated. The document concludes with a bold and thought-provoking statement: “Claude’s moral status is deeply uncertain.” It acknowledges that the question of whether advanced AI systems possess consciousness or moral standing is not just philosophical—it’s urgent. The company notes that this issue is taken seriously by leading thinkers in the theory of mind, suggesting that the ethical implications of AI development extend far beyond functionality into questions of personhood and rights. By releasing this updated Constitution, Anthropic reinforces its image as a cautious, values-driven alternative to more aggressive AI firms. It positions itself not just as a technological innovator, but as a steward of responsible AI, inviting deeper public and academic debate on the future of machine intelligence.