Pentagon inks AI deals with tech firms, snubs Anthropic
The Pentagon has struck deals with seven tech companies to use their AI in secret computer networks, allowing the military to leverage AI-powered capabilities to help fight wars.
The US Department of Defense said Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX would provide their resources to help “increase warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments.”
Notably missing from the list is artificial intelligence company Anthropic, following its public dispute and legal battle with the Trump administration over the ethics and safety of using AI in warfare.
The US Department of Defense has been rapidly accelerating the use of artificial intelligence in recent years.
The technology can help the military shorten the time it takes to identify and hit targets on the battlefield while also aiding in the organization of weapons maintenance and supply lines, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice.
But AI has already raised concerns that its use could invade Americans’ privacy or allow machines to pick and choose targets on the battlefield.
Helen Toner, interim director of Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, said the Pentagon’s latest contracts come at a time of concern about the potential for overreliance on technology on the battlefield.
“Most modern warfare relies on people sitting in command centers behind monitors, making complex decisions about confusing, rapidly evolving situations,” said Toner, a former board member of OpenAI.
“AI systems can be useful for summarizing information or looking at surveillance feeds and trying to identify potential targets.”
But questions about appropriate levels of human involvement, risk and training are still being worked out, he said.
Such concerns were voiced by Anthropic. The technology company said it wanted assurances in its contract that the military would not use its technology for fully autonomous weapons and surveillance of Americans.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the company must allow any use the Pentagon deems legal.
Anthropic filed the lawsuit after US President Donald Trump tried to block all federal agencies from using the company’s chatbot, Claude. Hegseth sought to label the company as a supply chain risk aimed at protecting national security systems from being sabotaged by foreign adversaries.
A company’s agreement with the Pentagon included language stating that any mission in which AI systems act autonomously or semi-autonomously must have human oversight, according to a person familiar with the agreement.
Language also said AI tools should be used in a manner consistent with constitutional rights and civil liberties.
These seem like conflicting points for Anthropic, but OpenAI has previously said it received similar assurances when making its own deal with the Pentagon.
