Anthropic stands firm against Pentagon's demand for unrestricted military AI access
174 Sources
[1]
Pete Hegseth wants unfettered access to Anthropic's models for the military
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to cut Anthropic from his department's supply chain unless it agrees to sign off on its technology being used in all lawful military applications by Friday. The threat is the latest escalation in a feud between Anthropic and the department,
[2]
Employees at Google and OpenAI support Anthropic's Pentagon stand in open letter | TechCrunch
Anthropic has reached a stalemate with the United States Department of War over the military's request for unrestricted access to the AI company's technology. But as the Pentagon's Friday afternoon deadline for Anthropic's compliance approaches, over 300 Google employees and over 60 OpenAI
[3]
Anthropic's safety-first AI collides with the Pentagon as Claude expands into autonomous agents
As Anthropic releases its most autonomous agents yet, a mounting clash with the military reveals the impossible choice between global scaling and a "safety first" ethos On February 5 Anthropic released Claude Opus 4.6, its most powerful artificial intelligence model. Among the model's new features
[4]
Anthropic CEO stands firm as Pentagon deadline looms | TechCrunch
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday that he "cannot in good conscience accede to [the Pentagon's] request" to give the military unrestricted access to its AI systems. "Anthropic understands that the Department of War, not private companies, makes military decisions," Amodei wrote in a
[5]
OpenAI reached a new agreement with the Pentagon.
CEO Sam Altman wrote on X that the agreement allowed the US military to "deploy our models in their classified network." He said the agreement reflects OpenAI's desire for prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and "human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon
[6]
Anthropic won't budge as Pentagon escalates AI dispute | TechCrunch
Anthropic has until Friday evening to either give the U.S. military unrestricted access to its AI model or face the consequences, reports Axios. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in a meeting Tuesday morning that the Pentagon will either declare Anthropic a "supply
[7]
Anthropic Refuses to Remove AI Safeguards Despite Pentagon Pressure
Anthropic says it won't loosen guardrails on its AI systems, despite pressure from the Pentagon. In a blog post, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei outlined the company's position, saying it wouldn't back down on two of its AI policies around mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. The
[8]
Anthropic v the US military: what this public feud says about the use of AI in warfare
The very public feud between the US Department of Defense (also known these days as the Department of War) and its AI technology supplier Anthropic is unusual for pitting state might against corporate power. In the military space, at least, these are usually cosy bedfellows. The origin of this
[9]
OpenAI Gives Pentagon AI Model Access After Anthropic Dustup
The Pentagon declared Anthropic a supply-chain risk and gave the company a six-month period to hand over AI services to another provider, following a feud over safeguards on its technology. OpenAI has agreed to deploy its own artificial intelligence models within the Defense Department's
[10]
Anthropic to Pentagon: Robo-weapons could hurt US troops
AI upstart won't remove Claude's guardrails to stay onside with Dept. of War Anthropic has fired back at the US Department of War, arguing that it can't agree to Uncle Sam's contract demand to remove guardrails on its AI in part because the tech can't be trusted not to harm American civilians and
[11]
OpenAI confirms it's working with the Pentagon after Trump banned Anthropic from agencies
Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill
[12]
Pentagon Anthropic feud has sales and AI warfare at stake as Friday deadline looms
NEW YORK, Feb 27 (Reuters) - An explosive feud between the Pentagon and top artificial intelligence lab Anthropic is set to come to a head by 5:01 p.m. (2201 GMT) on Friday over concerns about how the military could use AI at war. The dispute, barreling toward a deadline set by the Pentagon for
[13]
AI vs. the Pentagon: killer robots, mass surveillance, and red lines
Can AI firms set limits on how and where the military uses their models? Anthropic is in heated negotiations with the Pentagon after refusing to comply with new military contract terms that would require it to loosen the guardrails on its AI models, allowing for "any lawful use," even mass
[14]
OpenAI strikes deal with Pentagon, hours after rival Anthropic was blacklisted by Trump
Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc., at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said late Friday that his company has agreed to terms with the Department of Defense on use of its artificial intelligence models shortly after
[15]
OpenAI strikes a deal with the Defense Department to deploy its AI models
OpenAI has reached an agreement with the Defense Department to deploy its models in the agency's network, company chief Sam Altman has revealed on X. In his post, he said two of OpenAI's most important safety principles are "prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for
[16]
Anthropic refuses to bend to Pentagon on AI safeguards as dispute nears deadline
A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company bend its ethical policies by Friday or risk damaging its business. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei drew a sharp red line 24 hours before the deadline,
[17]
Defense Secretary summons Anthropic's Amodei over military use of Claude
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is calling in Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon on Tuesday morning to discuss the military use of Claude, according to reporting from Axios. The meeting comes as the Pentagon threatens to declare Anthropic a "supply chain risk" -- a label typically reserved
[18]
OpenAI Reaches A.I. Agreement With Defense Dept. After Anthropic Clash
OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, said on Friday that it had reached an agreement with the Pentagon to provide its artificial intelligence technologies for classified systems, just hours after President Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using A.I. technology made by rival Anthropic. Under the
[19]
Sam Altman backs Anthropic in AI battlefield row with Pentagon
OpenAI boss Sam Altman has weighed in to the deepening row between the US Department of Defense and rival AI company, Anthropic, throwing his support behind his competitor. Altman said in a note to staff that he had the same "red lines" as Anthropic boss Dario Amodei, who has refused to give the
[20]
The Cold War Era Law at the Center of Hegseth's Anthropic Threat
The Pentagon's threats, including designating Anthropic a supply-chain risk, could be challenged in court and may undermine Pentagon efforts to adopt artificial intelligence, with up to $200 million in work at stake. The Pentagon is poised to take unprecedented steps in its standoff with Anthropic
[21]
Anthropic, DoD face off over acceptable military AI use
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has made Anthropic an offer it may not be able to refuse. The Defense Department and the AI firm held a meeting at the Pentagon on Tuesday, where the government tried to compel the house of Claude to lift some restrictions on military use of its tech. However,
[22]
OpenAI signs Pentagon AI deal after Trump orders Anthropic ban
The deal follows a dramatic clash between the White House and Anthropic over limits on military AI use. OpenAI has reached an agreement with the Pentagon to deploy its artificial intelligence models in classified military systems, just hours after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to
[23]
Sam Altman Insists He Also Has Principles as Anthropic's Pentagon Stand Off Continues
The Pentagon gave Anthropic, the makers of Claude, an ultimatum: allow the military unfettered access to its AI model, even if the potential uses violate the company's own safeguards, or it will face significant punishment. Anthropic refused, with CEO Dario Amodei saying the company "cannot in good
[24]
Anthropic just dropped its core AI safety promise, and that should worry you
When Anthropic introduced Claude in March 2023, the key differentiator was trust and a safety-first approach no other AI lab had taken. In the announcement blog post, the company described Claude as "a next-generation AI assistant based on Anthropic's research into training helpful, honest, and
[25]
Hegseth gives Anthropic until Friday to back down on AI safeguards, Axios reports
Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given artificial intelligence company Anthropic until Friday to back down on safeguards for its products used by the military, Axios reported on Tuesday. Reuters reported exclusively this month that the Pentagon was including OpenAI and
[26]
OpenAI's Sam Altman proposes framework for US military AI deployment
OpenAI's Sam Altman has come out to defend rival Anthropic against concerns with working with the US Department of War (DoW). According to reports, Altman believes that any artificial intelligence (AI) company must ensure they have solid "redlines" when working with the Pentagon. This all started
[27]
Anthropic rejects Pentagon terms for lethal use of its chatbot Claude
The Pentagon is seen from the Air Force Memorial in May, 2023, in Arlington, VA. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Anthropic said late Thursday that it will not concede to the Pentagon's terms for full access to its artificial intelligence tool Claude, saying it cannot loosen its restrictions
[28]
Anthropic refuses Pentagon's new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance
Less than 24 hours before the deadline in an ultimatum issued by the Pentagon, Anthropic has refused the Department of Defense's demands for unrestricted access to its AI. It's the culmination of a dramatic exchange of public statements, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes negotiations,
[29]
Sam Altman aims to 'help de-escalate' tensions with Pentagon as OpenAI employees voice support for Anthropic
Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc., at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told staffers late Thursday that he would like the company "try to help de-escalate things" between rival Anthropic and the Department of Defense. "We
[30]
Google and OpenAI employees sign open letter in 'solidarity' with Anthropic
Hundreds of employees at Google and OpenAI have urging their companies to in its standoff with the Pentagon over military applications for AI tools like Claude. The letter, titled "We Will Not Be Divided," calls on the leadership of both companies to "put aside their differences and stand together
[31]
US military would only use Anthropic's AI technology in legal ways, Pentagon says
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon's top spokesman has reiterated that the military wants to use Anthropic's artificial intelligence technology in legal ways and will not let the company dictate any limits ahead of a Friday deadline to agree to its demands. Sean Parnell said Thursday on social media
[32]
Anthropic just wrote itself a safety loophole
The policy revision potentially weakens Anthropic's safety stance despite company claims of maintaining strong protections and transparency commitments. "Safety first" was the mantra that made Anthropic unique among its big AI competitors. The company's pledge originally went like this: If
[33]
Pentagon Standoff Is a Decisive Moment for How A.I. Will Be Used in War
Adam Satariano reported from London, Julian Barnes from Washington and Sheera Frenkel from San Francisco. The fight between the Department of Defense and the artificial intelligence company Anthropic has ostensibly been about a $200 million contract over the use of A.I. in classified systems. But
[34]
Anthropic boss rejects Pentagon demands to drop AI safeguards
Anthropic has said it will not back down in a fight with the US Department of Defense (DoD) over how its artificial intelligence (AI) technology is used. The firm's chief executive Dario Amodei said on Thursday that his company would rather not work with the Pentagon than agree to uses of its tech
[35]
OpenAI says it shares Anthropic's 'red lines' over military AI use
The Pentagon is seen from an airplane, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press hide caption OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he shares the "red lines" set by rival Anthropic restricting how the military uses AI models, amid Anthropic's escalating feud with the
[36]
Opinion: Red lines and Red flags
The fierce standoff over Claude isn't just a contract fight. It's about who controls the future of military AI. In Washington and Silicon Valley, a conflict once relegated to specialist policy briefings has burst into view as arms-length diplomacy between the U.S. Department of Defense and
[37]
Anthropic Tells Pete Hegseth to Take a Hike
The Pentagon approached Anthropic this week with a demand that it remove guardrails in its AI model Claude to prohibit mass domestic surveillance and fully automated weapons. But Anthropic is refusing to do that, according to a new statement from CEO Dario Amodei, who writes, "we cannot in good
[38]
Anthropic Sees Support From Other Tech Workers in Feud With Pentagon
Anthropic PBC got a vote of support from Silicon Valley workers for its increasingly contentious public-relations battle with the Pentagon over how the military can use artificial intelligence. Two coalitions of workers - including employees of Amazon.com Inc., Google, Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI -
[39]
Sam Altman says OpenAI shares Anthropic's red lines in Pentagon fight
Why it matters: If other leading firms like Google follow suit, this could massively complicate the Pentagon's efforts to replace Anthropic's Claude, which was the first model integrated into the military's most sensitive work. * It would also be the first time the nation's top AI leaders have
[40]
'We cannot in good conscience accede to their request': Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei draws a line in the sand in standoff with US government
* Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei does not want Claude used by the Pentagon for mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons * A statement has laid bare Anthropic's reasons for retaining Claude's safety rails * Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic until Friday to provide the DoD with full
[41]
Anthropic says it 'cannot in good conscience' allow Pentagon to remove AI checks
Pete Hegseth has threatened to cancel $200m contract unless it is given unfettered access to Claude model Anthropic said Thursday it "cannot in good conscience" comply with a demand from the Pentagon to remove safety precautions from its artificial intelligence model and grant the US military
[42]
Opinion | Pete Hegseth seeks a Pyrrhic victory against Anthropic
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the State of the Union on Tuesday. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP/Pool) At great risk to its business, Anthropic is taking a principled stand in the face of threats from the administration to commandeer its cutting-edge artificial intelligence
[43]
OpenAI is negotiating with the U.S. government, Sam Altman tells staff | Fortune
Sam Altman told OpenAI employees at an all-hands meeting on Friday afternoon that a potential agreement is emerging with the U.S. Department of War to use the startup's AI models and tools, according to a source present at the meeting and a summary of the meeting seen by Fortune. The contract has
[44]
AI Workers, and Even CEOs, Suddenly Turning Against the Trump Administration
Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech The Trump administration has a new rival in its ongoing feud with AI company Anthropic: Silicon Valley's rank-and-file. Newly reported by Bloomberg, a coalition of labor groups representing over 700,000 workers from Amazon, Google,
[45]
Anthropic digs in on Claude AI standoff with the Pentagon
Anthropic delivered a blunt message for the Pentagon: Thanks, but no thanks. The AI start-up late Thursday rebuffed the Defense Department's latest offer to resolve a standoff over deploying Anthropic's Claude AI system for military purposes without restrictions. The Pentagon had imposed a 5:01
[46]
Inside Anthropic's existential negotiations with the Pentagon
A former Uber exec is playing hardball, but for the AI lab, it's more than just a $200 million military contract at stake. Anthropic's weekslong battle with the Department of Defense has played out over social media posts, admonishing public statements, and direct quotes from unnamed Pentagon
[47]
In Defense-Anthropic clash, AI is real-time testing the balance of power in future of warfare
Anthropic trying to put limitations on its AI models 'really has no standing', says Brent Sadler The Department of Defense's clash with Anthropic over the integration of artificial intelligence into military operations, and who sets the limits on usage, reached a peak this week with Defense
[48]
Anthropic refuses to bow to Pentagon despite Hegseth's threats
Despite an ultimatum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Anthropic said that it can't "in good conscience" comply with a Pentagon edict to remove guardrails on its AI, CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a blog post. The Department of Defense had threatened to cancel a $200 million contract and label
[49]
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon's Anthropic ultimatum
NEW YORK (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic an ultimatum this week: Open its artificial intelligence technology for unrestricted military use by Friday, or risk losing its government contract. Defense officials in the Trump administration also warned they could designate
[50]
Anthropic Won't Lift AI Safeguards Amid Ongoing Pentagon Dispute: CEO - Decrypt
The standoff follows reports that the U.S. military used Claude to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday the company will not remove safeguards from its Claude AI model, escalating a dispute with the U.S. Department of Defense over how the
[51]
Dispute Between Pentagon and Anthropic Intensifies as Deadline Looms
Julian E. Barnes reported from Washington, and Sheera Frenkel from San Francisco. A standoff between the Pentagon and the artificial intelligence company Anthropic appeared to be deepening as the two sides hurtled toward a 5:01 p.m. deadline Friday that military officials gave the firm to either
[52]
US threatens Anthropic with deadline in dispute on AI safeguards
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to remove Anthropic from his agency's supply chain if the company declined to allow its artificial intelligence (AI) technology to be used across military applications. The threat was issued on Tuesday at a Pentagon meeting that Hegseth had demanded with
[53]
Deadline looms as Anthropic rejects Pentagon demands it remove AI safeguards
Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. Patrick Sison/Associated Press hide caption The Pentagon is headed for a showdown with Anthropic, one of the world's most powerful AI companies, over the military use
[54]
OpenAI secures Pentagon deal with safety safeguards as Trump drops Anthropic
OpenAI said Friday it struck a deal for the Pentagon to use its models in the US defense agency's classified network, with "safeguards," after President Donald Trump blacklisted AI rival Anthropic. Trump had ordered the government to stop using Anthropic, calling it a threat to national security
[55]
Anthropic is standing up to the US Department of War and refusing to remove AI autonomous weapon and mass surveillance safeguards: 'We cannot in good conscience accede to their request'
'We will not knowingly provide a product that puts America's warfighters and civilians at risk.' Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has released a statement on the company's website regarding its months-long dispute with the US Department of War over the use of its AI technology. In the statement. Amodei
[56]
As Pentagon-Anthropic feud risks boiling over, military says it's made compromises to AI giant
Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston. As the U.S. military's partnership with artificial intelligence giant Anthropic teeters on the edge of collapse, the Pentagon's top technology official told CBS
[57]
Why Anthropic and the US are at a standoff over AI military contract
AI company Anthropic and the US Pentagon are at a standoff. Here is all you need to know. The United States government is threatening to end military contracts with the company Anthropic unless it opens its AI technology for unrestricted military use. Anthropic makes the chatbot Claude and is the
[58]
Anthropic says U.S. military can use its AI systems for missile defense
In contract negotiations between senior Defense Department officials and leaders from AI giant Anthropic in December, the company agreed to allow the U.S. government to use its AI systems for missile and cyber defense purposes, a person familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity to speak
[59]
Anthropic Rolls Back Safety Protocols as It Waits to Find Out If It's Being Drafted by the Army
Let's run through a hypothetical situation real quick: Let's say you're an AI company that has made your calling card safety, and you are negotiating the use of your technology with the military, which has threatened to punish your business if you don't abandon your principles. You'd like to
[60]
Google, OpenAI employees call for unified front on military use
Why it matters: The signatures could pressure Google and OpenAI to join Anthropic in drawing a line in the sand over what they won't allow governments -- even the U.S. government -- to do with their technology. Driving the news: The letter comes as Anthropic has reiterated its insistence that its
[61]
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says conflict between Pentagon and Anthropic is 'not the end of the world'
* The Pentagon and Athropic continue to butt heads over use of Claude * Pete Hegseth has given Anthropic until Friday to comply * Anthropic could lose its contract or be forced to given the Pentagon full Claude access Following the rift that has formed between the Pentagon and Anthropic over use
[62]
US military leaders meet with Anthropic to argue against Claude safeguards
Anthropic presents itself as most safety-forward AI firm and Pentagon has threatened penalties if it does not yield US military leaders including Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, met with executives from the artificial intelligence firm Anthropic on Tuesday to hash out a dispute over what the
[63]
Pentagon Open to AI Talks With Anthropic Before Friday Deadline
The Pentagon is open to more talks with Anthropic PBC ahead of a 5 pm Friday deadline to loosen restrictions on the use of its artificial intelligence technology, a senior Defense Department official said on Friday. Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael said on
[64]
Anthropic is refusing to bend on AI safeguards as dispute with Pentagon nears deadline
CEO Dario Amodei said his company 'cannot in good conscience accede' to the Pentagon. A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company bend its ethical policies by Friday or risk damaging its
[65]
News from the front - Anthropic returns fire on the US Department of War and rejects demands not to block AI from launching missiles on its own
He did it, he actually did it! Confronted with an ultimatum from the US Department of War to drop contractual clauses that prevent its tech from being used for mass surveillance of domestic citizens or the autonomous launching of weapons without a human being pressing the actual button, Anthropic
[66]
Even as Anthropic moves deeper into enterprise, it hits a wall at the DOD - SiliconANGLE
Even as Anthropic moves deeper into enterprise, it hits a wall at the DOD U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Anthropic PBC Chief Executive Dario Amodei in Washington D.C. today, where he delivered a stark warning - either remove restrictions on how the military uses the company's Claude
[67]
Hegseth threatens to force AI firm to share tech, escalating Anthropic standoff
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, speaks during the Anthropic Builder Summit in Bengaluru, India, on Feb. 16. (Priyanshu Singh/Reuters) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened Anthropic that it could invoke powers that would allow the government to force the artificial intelligence firm to
[68]
The Pentagon brands Anthropic's CEO a 'liar' with a 'God complex' as deadline looms | Fortune
Pentagon officials have publicly questioned the character of Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Meanwhile, employees at competing AI labs have signed open letters supporting Anthropic's position. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told his employees in a memo on Thursday, according to reporting from Axios, that OpenAI
[69]
Anthropic vs. Pentagon AI standoff nears critical deadline
Anthropic and the Pentagon are facing off over deploying AI for military use, with a day left until a government-imposed deadline. Earlier this week, the Department of Defense delivered an ultimatum to Anthropic compelling the company to yield to its demands by Friday afternoon. Pentagon officials
[70]
Anthropic faces lose-lose scenario in Pentagon conflict as deadline for policy change looms
Anthropic faces a 'lose-lose' battle as it faces off with the Pentagon Anthropic is heading into Friday in a no-win situation. The artificial intelligence startup has until 5:01 p.m. ET to decide whether it will agree to allow the Department of Defense to use its models in all lawful use cases
[71]
Anthropic weakens its safety pledge in the wake of the Pentagon's pressure campaign
Two stories about the Claude maker Anthropic broke on Tuesday that, when combined, arguably paint a chilling picture. First, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly pressuring Anthropic to yield its AI safeguards and give the military unrestrained access to its Claude AI chatbot. The
[72]
Hegseth and Anthropic CEO set to meet as debate intensifies over the military's use of AI
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to meet Tuesday with the CEO of Anthropic, with the artificial intelligence company the only one of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, declined to comment on
[73]
OpenAI Wins Defense Contract After US Halts Anthropic Use
OpenAI has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Defense to deploy its artificial intelligence models on classified military networks, just hours after the White House ordered federal agencies to stop using technology from rival firm Anthropic. In a late Friday post on X,
[74]
Anthropic refuses to bend to Pentagon on AI safeguards as dispute nears deadline
A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company bend its ethical policies by Friday or risk damaging its business. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei drew a sharp red line 24 hours before the deadline,
[75]
Anthropic CEO rejects Pentagon ultimatum on unrestricted AI use
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stated that he cannot agree to the Pentagon's request for unrestricted access to the company's AI systems. Amodei identified two specific use cases that violate company principles: mass surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous weapons with no human in the loop.
[76]
Anthropic rejects 'bully' Pentagon's latest offer in AI stand-off
Washington | Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said he "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Pentagon's demands to allow unrestricted use of its technology, deepening his company's public clash with the Trump administration that is threatening to pull its contract and take other drastic steps by
[77]
The Pentagon Is Pushing Anthropic to Make the Most Evil A.I. Possible. Will It?
Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from email alerts for Alex Kirshner? Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Anthropic, the maker of Claude, wants to be seen as the major A.I. company most focused on safety.
[78]
Hegseth threatens to cancel Anthropic's $200 million contract over "woke AI" concerns
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will terminate Anthropic's $200 million contract with the military by Friday unless the artificial intelligence lab agrees to loosening its safety standards. The threat came on Tuesday during a meeting between Hegseth and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, according to a
[79]
Opinion | What Both Anthropic and the Pentagon Get Wrong
Mr. Kendall was the secretary of the Air Force in the Biden administration. At 5:01 p.m. Friday, the Pentagon may be at war. I'm not referring to Iran, nor to any other shooting war -- but a potentially existential conflict between two parties, nonetheless: The artificial intelligence company
[80]
Anthropic refuses to bend to Pentagon on AI safeguards
One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company
[81]
Pentagon officials sent Anthropic best and final offer for military use of its AI amid dispute, sources say
Pentagon officials on Wednesday night sent Anthropic their best and final offer in negotiations for use of the company's artificial intelligence technology, just ahead of a government-imposed deadline, according to sources familiar with the discussions. It was unclear whether the offer
[82]
Anthropic rejects Pentagon's "final offer" in AI safeguards fight
Why it matters: A deadline of Friday at 5:01pm is fast approaching for Anthropic to let the Pentagon use its model Claude as it sees fit or potentially face severe consequences. What they're saying: "The contract language we received overnight from the Department of War made virtually no progress
[83]
Hundreds of Google, OpenAI employees back Anthropic in Pentagon fight
Hundreds of employees of Google and OpenAI are backing artificial intelligence technology company Anthropic, which faces a Friday evening deadline to give the Pentagon permission to use its AI system as it wishes or face repercussions from the department. Employees who signed the letter alleged
[84]
Why Sam Altman Says OpenAI Has the Same 'Red Lines' as Its Rival, Anthropic
A twist came on Friday, when OpenAI cofounder and CEO Sam Altman voiced support for Anthropic, his company's chief competitor, in Anthropic's face-off with the Pentagon, and says he is working on a deal with the government that would adhere to the same safety standards as his rival In an interview
[85]
Pentagon Anthropic Feud Has Sales and AI Warfare at Stake as Friday Deadline Looms
By David Jeans, Jeffrey Dastin and Deepa Seetharaman NEW YORK, Feb 27 (Reuters) - An explosive feud between the Pentagon and top artificial intelligence lab Anthropic is set to come to a head by 5:01 p.m. (2201 GMT) on Friday over concerns about how the military could use AI at war. The
[86]
Anthropic Refuses To Permit Its AI To Autonomously Kill Humans
Thankfully, this finally appears to reveal the line the genAI company is not willing to cross There are no heroes in the world of GenAI, although it seems Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has at least some boundaries he won't cross when it comes to the use of his company's AI in the military. Despite
[87]
Pete Hegseth Demands Anthropic Drop AI Safety Guardrails
Defense Secretary and guy who would really like you to know that he lifts, Pete Hegseth, is apparently trying to posturemogg Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei into submission so the military can return to indiscriminate killmaxxing. According to a report from Axios, the head of the wannabe War Department
[88]
Anthropic's autonomous weapons stance could prove out of step with modern war
Anthropic's stance on autonomous weapons may not survive the future Much of the AI world is watching closely as Anthropic tangles with the Pentagon over how the government can use the Claude models. Anthropic has a $200 million contract with the Pentagon, but the contract says the military can't
[89]
Anthropic Spurns Latest Pentagon Bid to Defuse Feud Over AI Work
Anthropic PBC rejected the Pentagon's latest offer to defuse a standoff over conditions the company has sought governing the use of its artificial intelligence software by the military, a confrontation that has jeopardized its defense work for the government. In a statement Thursday, an Anthropic
[90]
Former General sees Pentagon painting 'bullseye' on Anthropic but warns, 'they're not trying to play cute here' | Fortune
A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company bend its ethical policies by Friday or risk damaging its business. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei drew a sharp red line 24 hours before the deadline,
[91]
Anthropic eyes Pentagon deal after fallout over Maduro raid
Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to the press on Jan. 7. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) One of the nation's leading artificial intelligence firms is negotiating whether it can continue to work with the military, according to people familiar
[92]
Anthropic faces Friday deadline in Defense AI clash with Hegseth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told Anthropic it has until Friday evening to give the military broad access to its artificial intelligence models, CNBC confirmed on Tuesday. If Anthropic fails to comply, Hegseth threatened to label the company a "supply chain risk" or invoke the Defense
[93]
The Pentagon has reportedly given Anthropic until Friday to let it use Claude as it sees fit
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will reportedly give Anthropic until Friday to drop certain guardrails for military use, as . The outlet also reported that CEO Dario Amodei yesterday as the Pentagon ratcheted up pressure on the AI company to give in to its demands. The makers of Claude have
[94]
US Military warns Anthropic: Provide unrestricted AI or face penalties
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pressuring Anthropic to provide the military with unrestricted access to its Claude artificial intelligence model, issuing a Friday deadline and threatening penalties that could include invoking the Defense Production Act. In a coinciding development on the same
[95]
Pentagon threatens to take Anthropic's AI tech in defence standoff
Washington | US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to invoke war-time powers against Anthropic allowing the government to force the AI firm to hand over its novel technology in the name of national security, people familiar with the ongoing discussions said. Hegseth gave Anthropic's CEO
[96]
Anthropic says won't give US military unconditional AI use
San Francisco (United States) (AFP) - AI company Anthropic said Thursday it would not give the US Defense Department unrestricted use of its technology despite being pressured to comply by the Pentagon. "These threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their
[97]
Pentagon officials sent Anthropic best and final offer for unrestricted military use of its AI, sources say
Pentagon officials on Wednesday night sent Anthropic their best and final offer in negotiations for use of the company's artificial intelligence technology, just ahead of a government-imposed deadline, according to sources familiar with the discussions. It was unclear whether the offer
[98]
Anthropic Says Little Progress Made in Pentagon Talks Over A.I.
Julian Barnes reported from Washington and Sheera Frenkel from San Francisco. The Pentagon and the artificial intelligence company Anthropic continued their fight over how A.I. can be used in defense, a day before a deadline imposed by the Trump administration for the company to permit its
[99]
Agreement reached with Department of War to deploy OpenAI models in classified network: CEO Sam Altman - The Economic Times
Sam Altman said OpenAI has agreed with the Department of War to run its AI models on the classified network. The company will control safeguards, model use, and cloud deployment, while the government will respect its "red lines." The deal follows tensions with Anthropic.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said
[100]
OpenAI Reaches Deal To Deploy AI Models On U.S. Department Of Defense Classified Network
"In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome," Altman said in a post on X. Feb 27 (Reuters) - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on Friday it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of War to deploy its AI
[101]
Anthropic Defies Pentagon's Demands as Contract Deadline Looms
Pink Shuts Down Separation Rumors With Carey Hart: 'You Can Do Better' Earlier this week, the Pentagon told Anthropic that the government would cancel its $200 million contract if it not agree to give it broad access to its AI system, Claude. As Friday's deadline to accept the terms approaches,
[102]
Altman says OpenAI agrees with Anthropic's red lines in Pentagon dispute
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Friday that he agrees with Anthropic's red lines in its increasingly contentious negotiations with the Pentagon over the terms of use for the company's AI models. As the feud between Anthropic and the Defense Department (DOD) has reached a boiling point, the AI firm has
[103]
US Military Would Only Use Anthropic's AI Technology in Legal Ways, Pentagon Says
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon's top spokesman has reiterated that the military wants to use Anthropic's artificial intelligence technology in legal ways and will not let the company dictate any limits ahead of a Friday deadline to agree to its demands. Sean Parnell said Thursday on social media
[104]
Scoop: Pentagon takes first step toward blacklisting Anthropic
Why it matters: That penalty is usually reserved for companies from adversarial countries, such as Chinese tech giant Huawei. * Using it to punish a leading American tech firm, particularly one on which the military itself is currently reliant, would be unprecedented. Driving the news: The
[105]
The Pentagon wants fewer AI limits. Anthropic doesn't. Here's why it matters
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, will head to the Pentagon on Tuesday to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about how the military uses the company's artificial intelligence models. And it's likely to be a tense meeting, as sources first told Axios. Contract talks between the AI startup and
[106]
OpenAI Lands Pentagon Deal Hours After Trump Blacklists Anthropic -- Altman Says Department Of War Agreed To AI Safety Guardrails
OpenAI struck a deal on Friday to deploy its AI tools inside the Pentagon's classified systems, hours after the Trump administration formally blacklisted rival Anthropic. CEO Sam Altman announced the agreement on Friday on X, saying the Pentagon had agreed to two core safety principles:
[107]
Pentagon's fight with Anthropic is anything but intelligent
The U.S. Department of Defense and Anthropic, the artificial intelligence firm, are at war. The AI company wants to limit the ways the U.S. military uses its product. The U.S. government had threatened to either end its contract with Anthropic or to use legislative authority to compel the business
[108]
Anthropic refuses Pentagon demand to lift AI safeguards
AI firm Anthropic has said it will not comply with a Pentagon demand to strip safety guardrails from its Claude model, after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to cancel a $200m contract and label the company a "supply chain risk." CEO Dario Amodei said the company remains willing to support
[109]
Dario Amodei says he 'cannot in good conscience' bow to Pentagon's demands over AI use in military | Fortune
The maker of the AI chatbot Claude said in a statement that it's not walking away from negotiations but that new contract language received from the Defense Department "made virtually no progress on preventing Claude's use for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons." Sean
[110]
Pentagon Hardens Its Ultimatum to Anthropic in Feud Over AI Use
The Pentagon escalated its ongoing dispute with Anthropic PBC on Thursday, making public a threat to effectively ban the artificial intelligence startup from the US military's vast supply chain. In a social media post, the Defense Department's main spokesman Sean Parnell warned Anthropic of a
[111]
OpenAI reaches deal to work with Dept. of Defense classified documents, CEO Altman announces
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attends an event to pitch AI for businesses in Tokyo, Japan, February 3, 2025; illustrative. OpenAI will begin working with the Department of Defense to provide AI services for classified documents, CEO Sam Altman announced on Friday night. "Tonight, we reached an agreement
[112]
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on AI DoD model use
Negotiations between Anthropic and the Department of Defense have hit a snag in recent weeks as the two organizations have clashed over the terms of use for Anthropic's technology. Anthropic wants assurance that its models will not be used for autonomous weapons or to spy on Americans. The DoD has
[113]
Rivals support Anthropic in AI standoff with Pentagon
At the heart of the dispute is Anthropic's refusal to allow its Claude models to be used for the mass surveillance of US citizens or deployed in fully autonomous weapons systems. An open letter titled "We Will Not Be Divided," signed as of Friday by 336 Google DeepMind staffers and 68 from OpenAI,
[114]
Anthropic CEO Says AI Company 'Cannot In Good Conscience Accede' To Pentagon's Demands
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday the artificial intelligence company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Pentagon's demands to allow wider use of its technology. The company said in a statement that it's not walking away from negotiation but that new contract
[115]
OpenAI lands Pentagon deal after Anthropic standoff (OPENAI:Private)
OpenAI (OPENAI) said it has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy its models within a classified government network. In a post on X, CEO Sam Altman said, "Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to OpenAI secured a deal with the U.S. Department of
[116]
What's behind the Anthropic-Pentagon feud
Washington -- The Pentagon gave Anthropic an ultimatum this week: Give the U.S. military unrestricted use of its AI technology or face a ban from all government contracts. At the center of the issue is a question of who controls how artificial intelligence models are used, the Pentagon or the
[117]
Pentagon official: Anthropic CEO 'has a God-complex'
A top Pentagon official accused Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Thursday of having a "God-complex," as the Defense Department (DOD) and the company face off over the terms of use for its AI models. "It's a shame that @DarioAmodei is a liar and has a God-complex," Under Secretary of War Emil Michael
[118]
What to Know About Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon's Anthropic Ultimatum
NEW YORK (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic an ultimatum this week: Open its artificial intelligence technology for unrestricted military use by Friday, or risk losing its government contract. Defense officials in the Trump administration also warned they could designate
[119]
Pentagon Gives A.I. Company an Ultimatum
Julian E. Barnes reported from Washington, and Sheera Frenkel from San Francisco. The Pentagon delivered an ultimatum to Anthropic, the only artificial intelligence company currently operating on classified military systems, ordering the firm to bend to its demands by Friday. If the firm fails to
[120]
Trump Bans Anthropic As Pentagon Reportedly Accepts OpenAI's Military AI Safeguards -- Anthony Scaramucci, Ilya Sutskever, Ross Gerber Weigh In
On Friday, President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to phase out Anthropic's technology as the Pentagon reportedly agreed to OpenAI's safety terms for deploying artificial intelligence in classified military settings. Pentagon Aligns With OpenAI On Military AI Guardrails The Pentagon has
[121]
Anthropic digs in heels in dispute with Pentagon, source says
Artificial intelligence lab Anthropic has no intention of easing its usage restrictions for military purposes, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, adding talks continue after a meeting to discuss its future with the Pentagon. The meeting between Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and U.S.
[122]
Hegseth gives Anthropic CEO until Friday to back down in AI safeguards fight
The big picture: Hegseth told Amodei in a tense meeting on Tuesday that the Pentagon will either cut ties and declare Anthropic a "supply chain risk," or invoke the Defense Production Act to force the company to tailor its model to the military's needs. Why it matters: The Pentagon wants to punish
[123]
In its fight with Hegseth, Anthropic confronts perhaps the biggest crisis in its five-year existence | Fortune
AI company Anthropic is facing perhaps the biggest crisis in its five-year existence as it stares down a Friday deadline to remove restrictions on how the U.S. Department of War can use its technology or face the possibility that the Pentagon will take action that could cripple its business. Pete
[124]
Anthropic CEO says it 'cannot in good conscience accede' to Pentagon's demands for AI use - The Korea Times
WASHINGTON -- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday that the artificial intelligence company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Pentagon's demands to allow unrestricted use of its technology, deepening a public clash with the Trump administration that is threatening to pull its contract
[125]
Anthropic Vs. the Pentagon Is a Fight for AI's Future
Consider it a preview of strange quandaries to come. In July, Anthropic PBC signed a deal with the Defense Department worth up to $200 million, calling it "a new chapter" in its "commitment to supporting US national security." The Pentagon was equally keen. Eight months later, the partnership has
[126]
OpenAI working on Pentagon deal amid Anthropic-government impasse
OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman told his staff that the company was working on a deal that could help solve the impasse between Anthropic and the Pentagon over the use of AI on the battlefield, The Wall Street Journal reported. No Such a deal could set a precedent for safe, compliant AI model use in
[127]
Anthropic rejects Pentagon's requests in AI safeguards dispute, CEO says - The Economic Times
The Pentagon's dispute with Anthropic stems from the AI startup's refusal to remove safeguards that would prevent its technology from being used to target weapons autonomously and conduct surveillance in the United States.Anthropic cannot accede to the Pentagon's request in an AI safeguards
[128]
Report: Hegseth Threatens Leading AI Company In Fight Over Alarming Pentagon Demands
Report: Hegseth Threatens Leading AI Company In Fight Over Alarming Pentagon Demands Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded the AI company Anthropic allow its models to be used for the mass surveillance of Americans and the development of weapons that fire without human involvement in a meeting
[129]
US Pentagon Pressures Anthropic To Lift AI Guardrails
The US Pentagon's ultimatum to Anthropic is the first clear stress test of whether voluntary AI safety commitments can withstand state procurement power. The dispute as of now tests whether Anthropic's commitments hold when a government customer demands unrestricted access. On February 24, 2026,
[130]
Hegseth demands full military access to Anthropic's AI model Claude and sets deadline for end of week
Journalist Jo Ling Kent joined CBS News in July 2023 as the senior business and technology correspondent for CBS News. Kent has more than 15 years of experience covering the intersection of technology and business in the U.S., as well as the emergence of China as a global economic power. Trust is
[131]
Anthropic says 'virtually no progress' on Pentagon AI talks as deadline looms
Anthropic said Thursday that "virtually no progress" had been made in the company's talks with the Pentagon over the terms of use for its AI models ahead of a Friday afternoon deadline. The Defense Department (DOD) delivered its last and final offer to the company on Wednesday night, asking the AI
[132]
Anthropic Digs in Heels in Dispute With Pentagon, Source Says
NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Artificial intelligence lab Anthropic has no intention of easing its usage restrictions for military purposes, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, following a meeting to discuss its future with the Pentagon. The meeting between Anthropic CEO Dario
[133]
Dario Amodei Is A 'Liar' With God Complex Says Trump Official As Anthropic Refuses To Comply With Pentagon's Request For Unrestricted AI - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)
On Thursday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said that the AI startup "cannot in good conscience accede" to new Defense Department contract language that would permit unrestricted military use of its AI system, Claude. AI Contract Clash With The Pentagon In a blog post, the San Francisco-based startup
[134]
Anthropic refuses to bend to Pentagon on AI safeguards as dispute nears deadline
A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company bend its ethical policies by Friday or risk damaging its business. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei drew a sharp red line 24 hours before the deadline,
[135]
Pentagon takes key step toward blacklisting Anthropic as Friday...
The Pentagon has reportedly asked Boeing and Lockheed Martin to detail their reliance on Anthropic's Claude chatbot ahead of a Friday deadline for the AI firm to either relax its safeguards or face blacklisting. The request, first reported by Axios, came after the Pentagon threatened last week to
[136]
Pentagon Summons Anthropic Chief in Dispute Over A.I. Limits
Julian Barnes reported from Washington, and Sheera Frenkel from San Francisco. Amid intense pressure from the Trump administration, Pentagon officials have summoned the chief executive of the artificial intelligence company Anthropic to Washington for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss how its
[137]
Scoop: Hegseth to meet Anthropic CEO as Pentagon threatens banishment
Why it matters: Claude is the only AI model available in the military's classified systems, and the most capable model for sensitive defense and intelligence work. The Pentagon doesn't want to lose access to Claude, but is furious with Anthropic for refusing to lift its safeguards entirely. State
[138]
Anthropic Holds Firm on Military AI Restrictions After Pentagon Meeting - Reuters By Investing.com
Investing.com -- Artificial intelligence lab Anthropic will not ease its usage restrictions for military purposes, according to Reuters, citing a person familiar with the matter, following a meeting between the company and the Pentagon. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with U.S. Defense Secretary
[139]
Hegseth issues an ultimatum to 'woke AI' Anthropic: Get with military program by Friday or lose $200 million | Fortune
With just days left before Hegseth's reported deadline for Anthropic to drop its seemingly woke demands for AI safety and guarantees of non-military use, Anthropic told Fortune that it "continued good-faith conversations" with the Pentagon. Anthropic is facing a deadline of 5:01 p.m. Friday to
[140]
Anthropic CEO rejects Pentagon demand for unrestricted model access, says threats won't sway it
Anthropic (ANTHRO) on Thursday said that the company "cannot in good conscience" allow the Department of Defense to use its models in all lawful use cases without limitation, adding that the agency's threats do not change its position. "It is Anthropic opposes allowing the Department of Defense
[141]
Anthropic cannot accede to Pentagon's request in AI safeguards dispute, CEO says
AI firm Anthropic refuses the Pentagon's demand to remove safeguards preventing autonomous weapons targeting and domestic surveillance, despite threats of removal from defense systems. CEO Dario Amodei stated the company cannot in good conscience agree to such uses, even with a $200 million
[142]
Hegseth To Meet With Anthropic CEO Over AI Safety Restrictions: Report
Hegseth To Meet With Anthropic CEO Over AI Safety Restrictions: Report Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly plans to meet with Anthropic's CEO this week to renegotiate the military's use of the artificial intelligence company amid ongoing disputes over safety concerns. CEO Dario Amodei will
[143]
Anthropic's Pentagon Showdown Is About More Than AI Guardrails
As the Pentagon was pressing Anthropic PBC to drop the guardrails on its powerful artificial intelligence tools, a senior US defense official posed a hypothetical scenario to the company's safety-conscious chief executive officer, Dario Amodei. What if a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic
[144]
Pentagon draws scrutiny with Anthropic threats, Defense Production Act
The Pentagon is threatening to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) against Anthropic amid a dispute over the company's restrictions on its AI tools, in a move that many experts say is an unusual use of the measure. The Defense Department (DOD) warned Anthropic on Tuesday that it could invoke the
[145]
Hegseth and Anthropic CEO Set to Meet as Debate Intensifies Over the Military's Use of AI
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to meet Tuesday with the CEO of Anthropic, with the artificial intelligence company the only one of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, declined to comment on
[146]
What to know about U.S. Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon's Anthropic ultimatum
NEW YORK -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic an ultimatum this week: Open its artificial intelligence technology for unrestricted military use by Friday, or risk losing its government contract. Defence officials in the Trump administration also warned they could designate
[147]
Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth gives Anthropic Friday deadline to remove...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Anthropic boss Dario Amodei that he has until Friday evening to remove restrictions on how the US military can use the company's Claude AI chatbot - or potentially face major penalties. Hegseth, who delivered the ultimatum during a high-stakes meeting in
[148]
Hegseth Gives Anthropic Friday Ultimatum To Drop AI Safeguards Or Risk Ban As Pentagon Looks For Alternatives: Report - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has reportedly warned Anthropic that it could be removed from the Pentagon's supply chain if the company does not commit by Friday to allowing its technology to be used in all lawful military applications. Hegseth called Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, to Washington
[149]
Pentagon wants Anthropic to loosen restrictions on classified AI use cases: report
Pentagon leaders, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, plan to hold a meeting with Anthropic (ANTHRO) CEO Dario Amodei on Tuesday to open up the use cases of artificial intelligence in classified operations, according to Axios. Anthropic, which is backed The Pentagon's threat to end
[150]
Hegseth to meet with Anthropic CEO as safe AI principles collide with military contracting | Fortune
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to meet Tuesday with the CEO of Anthropic, with the artificial intelligence company the only one of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, declined to comment on the meeting but
[151]
Anthropic rejects Pentagon "final offer" just 24 hours before deadline set by Pete Hegseth
AI company Anthropic has rejected the US Pentagon's final offer just 24 hours before the deadline. The company said it does not want its AI model Claude used to spy on Americans or for deadly military missions, as stated in Anthropic's official statement. Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei said there has
[152]
Pentagon Anthropic feud has sales and AI warfare at stake as Friday deadline looms
NEW YORK, Feb 27 (Reuters) - An explosive feud between the Pentagon and top artificial intelligence lab Anthropic is set to come to a head by 5:01 p.m. (2201 GMT) on Friday over concerns about how the military could use AI at war. The dispute, barreling toward a deadline set by the Pentagon for
[153]
Hegseth and Anthropic CEO set to meet as debate intensifies over the military's use of AI
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to meet Tuesday with the CEO of Anthropic, with the artificial intelligence company the only one of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, declined to comment on
[154]
Anthropic's Dario Amodei, Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth to meet as...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was set to hold a high-stakes meeting with Anthropic boss Dario Amodei on Tuesday as they have been trying to navigate rising tensions over military use of the Claude AI chatbot. The meeting was scheduled to come just days after reports surfaced that Hegseth was
[155]
Anthropic narrows AI safety policy pledge
Anthropic is narrowing its AI safety policy pledge, removing the company's previous commitment to halt the development of its AI models if they outpace its safety procedures. The AI firm unveiled an updated version of its Responsible Scaling Policy on Tuesday, explaining in a blog post that the AI
[156]
US Defense Secretary Hegseth Summons Anthropic CEO for Tough Talks Over Military Use of Claude, Axios Reports
Feb 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned artificial intelligence company Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon on Tuesday for what is expected to be potentially tough talks over the military use of Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence tool, Axios
[157]
Pentagon Threatens to End Anthropic Work in Feud Over AI Terms
The Pentagon warned Anthropic PBC that it would terminate the company's military contracts on Friday if the artificial intelligence startup failed to meet government terms for use of its technology, according to people familiar with the matter. During a meeting Tuesday between Chief Executive
[158]
Anthropic digs in heels in dispute with Pentagon, source says
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Artificial intelligence lab Anthropic has no intention of easing its usage restrictions for military purposes, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, adding talks continue after a meeting to discuss its future with the Pentagon. The
[159]
Pentagon asks defense contractors about reliance on Anthropic's AI services: Report
The Pentagon has asked defense contractors to assess their reliance on Anthropic, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, ahead of its Friday deadline for the AI service provider to respond to a request to eliminate safeguards. The Department of Defense has been engaged in a
[160]
Trump team livid about Dario Amodei's principled stand to keep the Defense Department from using his AI tools for warlike purposes | Fortune
Anthropic's $200 million contract with the Department of Defense is up in the air after Anthropic reportedly raised concerns about the Pentagon's use of its Claude AI model during the Nicolas Maduro raid in January. "The Department of War's relationship with Anthropic is being reviewed," Chief
[161]
Pentagon threatens to cancel Anthropic contract by Friday if company doesn't lift safeguards
The Pentagon has threatened to cancel Anthropic's contract by Friday if the company does not agree to the department's terms for the use of its AI model, a source familiar confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Tuesday at the
[162]
Anthropic Should Stand Its Ground Against the Pentagon
They say your values aren't truly values until they cost you something. For Anthropic co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei, that cost might come as soon as Tuesday when he visits the Pentagon for what's been billed as a showdown meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. "This
[163]
Pentagon asks US defense contractors about reliance on Anthropic's services, source says
The Pentagon is reaching out to defense contractors to assess their reliance on artificial intelligence lab Anthropic's services, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, ahead of a Friday deadline for the AI firm to respond to the government. Reuters reported on Tuesday that
[164]
Anthropic CEO to meet Hegseth amid dispute over military use of Claude
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday at the Pentagon as the company continues discussions with the department around the terms of use of its AI model Claude, a Pentagon official confirmed to The Hill on Monday. The AI firm has increasingly found
[165]
Anthropic's CEO to Meet Hegseth Amid Feud Over Pentagon Work
Anthropic PBC Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei will meet with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, according to a senior Pentagon official, as contract talks with the artificial intelligence startup remain deadlocked over the company's insistence on guardrails for use of its
[166]
AI vs military: This showdown can shape the future of war
A major clash is unfolding between AI firm Anthropic and the US Pentagon. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is drawing ethical lines on autonomous targeting and domestic surveillance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing for unrestricted military AI use. This dispute will shape how AI is governed in
[167]
US Defense Dept gives Anthropic Friday deadline to drop AI curbs
The US Defense Department has given AI company Anthropic until Friday to agree to unrestricted military use of its technology or face being forced to comply under emergency federal powers, a senior official said Tuesday. But after the meeting, agree to unrestricted military use of its technology by
[168]
Anthropic digs in heels in dispute with Pentagon, source says
AI firm Anthropic faces pressure from the Pentagon. The company refuses to remove safeguards for military use. The Pentagon has issued an ultimatum. Anthropic must comply or face drastic actions. This dispute could impact future AI use in defense. Talks continue between Anthropic and the
[169]
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns Anthropic to allow full military use of its ai or risk losing Pentagon contract
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned AI company Anthropic that it must allow its technology to be used in all lawful military work or it could lose its Pentagon contract. Hegseth gave a strict deadline, which is Friday, for Anthropic to say yes or no to full military use of its AI systems. If
[170]
Elon Musk lashes out at Anthropic as Pentagon summons AI company CEO Dario Amodei - The Economic Times
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly summoned AI firm Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon for "a high‑stakes", "tense" meeting over the military's use of the company's Claude AI model, according to reports, as Elon Musk slammed the AI company over allegedly stealing training
[171]
Hegseth and Anthropic CEO set to meet as debate intensifies over the military's use of AI
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to meet Tuesday with the CEO of Anthropic, with the artificial intelligence company the only one of its peers to not supply its technology to a new US military internal network. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, declined to comment on the meeting but CEO
[172]
Anthropic's Claude AI faces Pentagon ultimatum from US Defense Sec Pete Hegseth
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon over a dispute on military use of its AI model, Claude, as tensions rise over safeguards and defense contracts. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly summoned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the
[173]
Anthropic lost the battle, OpenAI won the war?
OpenAI replaced Anthropic hours later, with the same restrictions By now we are all used to US President Donald Trump's outbursts on Truth Social. But when that outburst came at Anthropic's expense - the first AI company to infuse its Claude models into US Department of Defense workflows last year
[174]
Trump Anthropic ban effect: Pentagon turns to OpenAI to deploy AI, here's what happened
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that the company has reached a new agreement with the Department of War. US President Donald Trump has ordered all federal agencies in the country to stop using Anthropic AI. The decision comes after months of growing disagreement between the Pentagon and
Share
Copy Link
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to invoke the Defense Production Act or label Anthropic a supply chain risk unless the $380 billion AI company grants unfettered access to its Claude models for all military applications by Friday. CEO Dario Amodei refuses to budge on two red lines: mass surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous weapons with no human in the loop.
Anthropic Faces Pentagon Ultimatum Over Military AI Use
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a stark ultimatum to Anthropic: grant the Pentagon unrestricted access to its AI models for all lawful military applications by Friday at 5:01 PM, or face severe consequences. The threat marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between the $380 billion AI company and the military over ethical boundaries in military AI deployment
1
.During tense talks in Washington on Tuesday, Hegseth summoned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and threatened to either label the company a supply chain risk—a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries—or invoke the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era measure that would compel Anthropic to comply regardless of its objections
1
. A senior Pentagon official stated that if Anthropic doesn't "get on board," Hegseth "will ensure the Defense Production Act is invoked on Anthropic, compelling them to be used by the Pentagon regardless of if they want to or not"1
.
Source: ET
Dario Amodei Maintains Red Lines on Mass Surveillance and Autonomous Weapons
Amodei has drawn two firm ethical boundaries that Anthropic refuses to cross: no mass surveillance of Americans and no fully autonomous weapons with no human in the loop. In a statement released Thursday, just hours before the Pentagon deadline, Amodei declared he "cannot in good conscience accede to [the Pentagon's] request" for unrestricted access to AI systems
4
.
Source: ET
"In a narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values," Amodei wrote. "Some uses are also simply outside the bounds of what today's technology can safely and reliably do"
4
. He pointed out the inherent contradiction in Hegseth's dual threats: "One labels us a security risk; the other labels Claude as essential to national security"4
.Anthropics has expressed particular concern about its models being used for lethal missions that do not have a human in the loop, arguing that state-of-the-art AI models are not reliable enough to be trusted in those contexts
1
. The company had also pushed for new rules to govern the use of AI models for mass domestic surveillance, even where that might be legal under current regulations1
.Tech Industry Rallies Behind Anthropic's Ethical Stance
As the Friday deadline approaches, over 300 Google employees and over 60 OpenAI employees have signed an open letter urging their company leaders to support Anthropic and refuse unilateral military use of AI for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weaponry
2
. "They're trying to divide each company with fear that the other will give in," the letter states. "That strategy only works if none of us know where the others stand"2
.Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, told CNBC on Friday morning that he doesn't "personally think the Pentagon should be threatening DPA against these companies"
2
. OpenAI subsequently reached a new agreement with the Pentagon that allows the US military to "deploy our models in their classified network" while maintaining prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and ensuring "human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems," according to Altman5
. Altman wrote that OpenAI is "asking the DoW to offer these same terms to all AI companies"5
.Google DeepMind Chief Scientist Jeff Dean also expressed opposition to mass surveillance by the government, writing on X that "mass surveillance violates the Fourth Amendment and has a chilling effect on freedom of expression" and that "surveillance systems are prone to misuse for political or discriminatory purposes"
2
.Related Stories
Claude's Role in Classified Military Operations Sparks Controversy
The standoff intensified after January 3, when US special operations forces raided Venezuela and captured Nicolás Maduro. The Wall Street Journal reported that forces used Claude during the operation via Anthropic's partnership with Palantir
3
. When an Anthropic executive reached out to Palantir to ask whether the technology had been used in the raid, the question raised immediate alarms at the Pentagon3
.
Source: The Hill
Anthropics Claude tool has until recently been the only model working on classified missions as a result of its partnership with Palantir
1
. The company made Claude available on a Palantir platform with a cloud security level up to "secret" in late 2024, making Claude, by public accounts, the first large language model operating inside classified systems3
.Hegseth is now negotiating with AI labs, including Google, OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI, to replace Anthropic and integrate their technology into classified military systems. A senior Pentagon official said Musk's Grok "is on board with being used in a classified setting, while the rest of the companies are close"
1
.Safety-First AI Collides With Military Scaling Demands
The collision exposes fundamental tensions as Anthropic scales rapidly while maintaining its safety-first ethos. On February 5, Anthropic released Claude Opus 4.6, its most powerful AI model, featuring the ability to coordinate teams of autonomous agents that divide up work and complete it in parallel
3
. Twelve days later, the company dropped Sonnet 4.6, a cheaper model that nearly matches Opus's coding and computer skills. Sonnet 4.6 can navigate web applications and fill out forms with human-level capability, and both models have working memory large enough to hold a small library3
.Enterprise customers now make up roughly 80 percent of Anthropic's revenue, and the company closed a $30 billion funding round last week at a $380 billion valuation
3
. By every available measure, Anthropic is one of the fastest-scaling technology companies in history3
.The Pentagon released its AI strategy last month, with Hegseth stating in a memo that "AI-enabled warfare and AI-enabled capability development will redefine the character of military affairs over the next decade"
1
. He added that the US military "must build on its lead" over foreign adversaries to make soldiers "more lethal and efficient," and that the AI race was "fueled by the accelerating pace" of innovation coming from the private sector1
.Amodei has said Anthropic will support "national defense in all ways except those which would make us more like our autocratic adversaries"
3
. The company was founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives who believed the industry was not taking AI safety seriously enough, positioning Claude as the ethical alternative3
. The standoff now tests whether ethical boundaries and AI regulation can hold once autonomous agents capable of processing vast datasets and acting on conclusions are running inside classified networks for national security purposes.References
Summarized by
Navi
[2]
[3]
[5]
Related Stories
Trump bans Anthropic from government as AI companies clash with Pentagon over weapons and surveillance
25 Feb 2026•Policy and Regulation
Anthropic and Pentagon clash over AI safeguards as $200 million contract hangs in balance
12 Feb 2026•Policy and Regulation
Pentagon clashes with Anthropic over AI safeguards as $200 million contract stalls
30 Jan 2026•Policy and Regulation
Recent Highlights
1
AI Hallucination Nearly Sparked US Military Confrontation With Chinese Ship in Middle East
Technology
2
OpenAI's AI Solves Navier-Stokes Problem But Ignites Existential Crisis in Mathematics Community
Science and Research
3
Anthropic's Claude Now Leads 26% of AI Development Work, Company Reveals New Transparency Metrics
Technology
Recent Highlights
Today's Top Stories
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Follow topics that matter to you and stay ahead.
