OpenAI Pentagon deal ignites feud with Anthropic as ChatGPT uninstalls surge 295%
35 Sources
[1]
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls OpenAI's messaging around military deal 'straight up lies,' report says | TechCrunch
Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei is not happy -- perhaps predictably so -- with OpenAI chief Sam Altman. In a memo to staff, reported by The Information, Amodei referred to OpenAI's dealings with the Department of Defense as "safety theater." "The main reason [OpenAI] accepted [the DoD's
[2]
When AI Companies Go to War, Safety Gets Left Behind
I've spent the past few days asking AI companies to convince me that the prospects for AI safety have not dimmed. Just a few years ago, it seemed that there was universal agreement among companies, legislators, and the general public that serious regulation and oversight of AI was not just
[3]
ChatGPT uninstalls surged by 295% after DoD deal | TechCrunch
U.S. app uninstalls of ChatGPT's mobile app jumped 295% day-over-day on Saturday, February 28, as consumers responded to the news of OpenAI's deal with the Department of Defense (DoD), which has been rebranded under the Trump administration as the Department of War. This data, which comes from
[4]
OpenAI Had Banned Military Use. The Pentagon Tested Its Models Through Microsoft Anyway
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is still in the hot seat this week after his company signed a deal with the US military. OpenAI employees have criticized the move, which came after Anthropic's roughly $200 million contract with the Pentagon imploded, and asked Altman to release more information about the
[5]
Altman said no to military AI - then signed Pentagon deal
OpenAI CEO's principles lasted about 12 hours before $200M check arrived Opinion A week ago today, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he'd draw the same lines as Anthropic. By that night, he'd signed a Department of Defense deal that included no such AI protections. What's going on here? We live in
[6]
ChatGPT Backlash Reveals New Pitfalls in Aligning With Trump
It took only a few hours for Sam Altman's timing to go from bad to worse. On Friday evening, the chief executive officer of OpenAI announced the company would step into the role at the Department of Defense vacated earlier that day by Anthropic PBC, which had angered Secretary of Defense Pete
[7]
The 'QuitGPT' movement gets a surge of activity after OpenAI strikes a deal with the Pentagon
* Trump cuts Anthropic; OpenAI struck a DoW deal to tailor AI, igniting public controversy * Users launch 'QuitGPT' movement, canceling subscriptions over military deal and perceived quality/politics concerns * Many recommend switching to Claude, praising Anthropic for keeping safeguards and
[8]
OpenAI's Altman takes jabs at Anthropic, says government should be more powerful than companies
Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc., during a media tour of the Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took subtle swipes at rival Anthropic on Thursday and said he thinks it's "bad for society" if companies start abandoning
[9]
Video: Opinion | The Pentagon's Attack on Anthropic Is Political
What happens when the A.I. tools helping to run the country stop sharing the government's goals? The former Trump A.I. adviser Dean Ball joins "The Ezra Klein Show" to discuss the looming threat of institutional misalignment. I had Dario Amodei on the show last time a couple of years ago. It was
[10]
OpenAI Is Opening the Door to Government Spying
Outside OpenAI's headquarters, a handful of people gathered on Monday holding pieces of colorful chalk. They got down on their knees and started writing messages on the sidewalk. Stand for liberty. Please no legal mass surveillance. Change the contract please. At issue was a business deal that the
[11]
Pentagon Reportedly Used Microsoft Workaround to Test OpenAI Models, Despite Ban
The Defense Department alledgedly experimented with OpenAI models through Microsoft even when the company’s policies prohibited military use. OpenAI’s recent dealings with the U.S. military have raised a lot of eyebrows. But it wasn’t that long ago that the AI company had a policy banning
[12]
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
[13]
OpenAI got 'sloppy' about the wrong thing
The hasty yet high-stakes deal between ChatGPT's parent company and the Pentagon makes you wonder what else OpenAI has been slap-dash about. You'd think OpenAI would take care when crafting a deal with the Pentagon, one that would see its AI models used in life-and-death scenarios such as those
[14]
Video: Opinion | Who Should Control A.I.?
The former A.I. policy adviser to the Trump White House explains why the conflict between Anthropic and the White House is so dangerous. "So right now, everyone is thinking about Iran, but there's a story happening around it that I think we need to not lose sight of because it's about not just how
[15]
Sam Altman warns Elon Musk's xAI could tell the Pentagon 'we'll do whatever you want,' leaked transcript shows
A leaked transcript from an internal meeting at OpenAI shows CEO Sam Altman facing intense questions from employees about the company's controversial deal with the U.S. military. During the all-hands meeting, Altman reportedly acknowledged that the announcement of OpenAI's partnership with the
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'The biggest losers in all of this are everyday people and civilians in conflict zones': OpenAI is filling the gap left by Anthropic -- but almost left in the same loopholes for mass domestic surveillance
OpenAI has signed a contract with the Pentagon -- so what happens next? * OpenAI has signed a new contract with the Pentagon * The contract wording left room for AI to be used for mass domestic surveillance * Sam Altman is being criticized for his stance on the matter Following Anthropic's
[17]
The Rage at OpenAI Has Grown So Immense That There Are Entire Protests Against It
Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech OpenAI has faced protests on and off for years. But after its CEO Sam Altman announced a new deal with the Department of Defense over how its AI systems would be deployed across the military on Friday, it's being barraged with an
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What you should know about the Cancel ChatGPT trend and whether it crossed a red line
A Pentagon deal has ignited a wider debate about AI ethics and public trust. A new online movement calling for users to cancel ChatGPT subscriptions has quickly gone mainstream, and it all traces back to a controversial new partnership between OpenAI and the U.S. Department of Defence. The deal
[19]
ChatGPT's Pentagon deal just changed -- here's what it means for everyday users
OpenAI clarified safeguards in its Pentagon AI deal after backlash -- here's what changed OpenAI's agreement to work with the U.S. Department of War has quickly become one of the biggest AI stories of the week -- with a surge of users quitting ChatGPT and switching to other chatbots in protest.
[20]
Boycott AI: Should you quit ChatGPT after its Pentagon deal?
A growing protest movement is encouraging people to cancel their subscriptions to the popular AI chatbot. An online campaign urging users to quit OpenAI's ChatGPT is gathering momentum after a high-profile standoff between AI company Anthropic and the US Department of War. Known as "QuitGPT", the
[21]
'It just looked opportunistic and sloppy': Sam Altman regrets rushed defense deal as ChatGPT uninstalls surge by 295%
* Sam Altman has published an internal memo about its US military deal on X * He says the announcement was "rushed" and has tweaked the wording * ChatGPT uninstalls are up by 295%, according to recent data The controversy around OpenAI's decision to sign a defense deal with the US Department of
[22]
OpenAI's Pentagon deal once again calls Sam Altman's credibility into question
Familiar tensions around Sam Altman OpenAI CEO Sam Altman voiced his support for Anthropic in its dispute with the Pentagon over the use of its AI for targeting autonomous weapons and in domestic mass surveillance. He did so in a company meeting and during a CNBC Squawk Box appearance last Friday,
[23]
An "inconsequential" sum of money, but the PR cost is much, much higher - OpenAI's Sam Altman continues his 'mea culpa' tour...up to a point
One aspect of interest in the ongoing controversy around Anthropic being ousted from its $200 million AI contract with the US Department of War (DoW) and OpenAI's rush to take to its place, is the relatively small beer nature of the value of the deal. That has been something that has been alluded
[24]
Humongous Numbers of People Are Uninstalling ChatGPT as Anti-OpenAI Sentiment Surges
Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech After OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a new deal with the Department of Defense last week, droves of once-loyal users vowed that they'd ditch ChatGPT. And now, new data reported by TechCrunch shows that those outraged users weren't
[25]
Anthropic CEO accuses OpenAI of dishonesty over DoD contract
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei accused OpenAI of dishonesty regarding its contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), according to a staff memo reported by The Information. The dispute centers on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology by the military, raising questions about
[26]
This Tech Company Turned Into a Resistance Icon Overnight. The Reality Is Much Darker.
Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from email alerts for Nitish Pahwa? Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Last July, Anthropic agreed to ink a $200 million contract with the Pentagon, allowing the
[27]
The 'QuitGPT' movement gains steam as OpenAI's Department of War deal has users saying 'Cancel ChatGPT'
This comes as Anthropic refuses to surveil American citizens The AI landscape is highly competitive, with several companies fighting for users' attention (and ultimately money). While ChatGPT has become the household name in the AI space (much like Google is to search), the power dynamic could be
[28]
'No ethics at all': the 'cancel ChatGPT' trend is growing after OpenAI signs a deal with the US military
* OpenAI has signed a deal with the US Department of War * A significant number of ChatGPT users are quitting the app as a result * Anthropic had previously raised security and safety concerns After Claude developer Anthropic walked away from a deal with the US Department of War over safety and
[29]
Sam Altman Is Getting Slammed by Critics and Customers Over Controversial ChatGPT Deal
Last week, OpenAI reached an agreement with the Pentagon that would allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to use its AI model for "all lawful purposes." The company has received harsh backlash ever since. The response drove the CEO Sam Altman to admit in a post on X on February 28 that the deal
[30]
ChatGPT is trying to win back the users it just lost by rewriting its Pentagon deal
Mahnoor Faisal is a tech journalist covering AI and productivity tools with bylines at XDA, SlashGear, MakeUseOf, Laptop Mag, and Android Police. She's been writing professionally since she was sixteen, and has since penned hundreds of articles. This includes in-depth coverage of AI tools like
[31]
Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO, Mutual Funds News - The Economic Times
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman on Thursday took a swipe at rival AI firm Anthropic, saying it would be harmful for society if companies abandoned democratic norms simply because they disagreed with the political leadership in power. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom
[32]
OpenAI Strengthens Anti-Surveillance Safeguards in Revised US Defense Deal
When the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called , OpenAI struck a deal with the United States Department of Defence. This situation has raised new questions about how AI companies handle business deals, especially when the issue is sensitive. Anthropic's Claude has received huge support from
[33]
Pentagon dispute bolsters Anthropic reputation but raises questions about AI readiness in military
Anthropic's moral stand on U.S. military use of artificial intelligence is reshaping the competition between leading AI companies but also exposing a growing awareness that maybe chatbots just aren't capable enough for acts of war. Anthropic's chatbot Claude, for the first time, outpaced rival
[34]
'Safety Theater': Why Anthropic's CEO Says OpenAI's DoW Deal Is a Betrayal of AI Safety
There's a particular kind of fury reserved for watching someone else get credit for a principle you refused to compromise on. Dario Amodei knows that feeling well right now. Last week, Anthropic walked away from a Department of War contract rather than grant the military unrestricted access to its
[35]
Cancel GPT: Why Sam Altman and OpenAI getting criticism all over internet again
Sam Altman says the agreement bans mass surveillance, autonomous weapons and high-risk AI decision systems. OpenAI and its ChatGPT are getting a fresh wave of hate after signing an agreement with the US Department of War to deploy AI within the classified government networks. The deal, which was
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman signed a Department of Defense contract just hours after pledging to uphold the same AI safety protections as Anthropic. The deal sparked a 295% surge in ChatGPT uninstalls and prompted Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to call OpenAI's messaging 'straight up lies.' The conflict highlights growing tensions over AI use in surveillance and autonomous weaponry as safety concerns collide with military ambitions.
OpenAI Military Deal Triggers Industry Conflict
OpenAI signed a Pentagon contract with the Department of Defense just hours after CEO Sam Altman publicly supported Anthropic's stance on AI safety, igniting a fierce dispute between two of the industry's leading companies. In an internal memo obtained by The Information, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called OpenAI's messaging around the deal "straight up lies" and accused the company of engaging in "safety theater"
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. The conflict emerged after Anthropic refused to accept the Department of Defense's demand for "any lawful use" of its AI technology, particularly regarding AI use in surveillance and autonomous weaponry1
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Source: Digit
Amodei stated that "the main reason [OpenAI] accepted [the DoD's deal] and we did not is that they cared about placating employees, and we actually cared about preventing abuses"
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. Anthropic had maintained a $200 million contract with the military but insisted the Department of Defense affirm it would not use Claude AI to enable domestic mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons systems1
.Public Backlash Drives ChatGPT Uninstalls to Record Levels
Consumer reaction to the OpenAI military deal was swift and severe. ChatGPT uninstalls jumped 295% day-over-day on Saturday, February 28, according to market intelligence provider Sensor Tower, compared to the app's typical uninstall rate of 9% over the previous thirty days
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. Meanwhile, U.S. downloads for ChatGPT dropped 13% day-over-day on Saturday and continued falling 5% on Sunday3
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Source: Futurism
Claude AI benefited dramatically from the controversy, with downloads jumping 37% on Friday, February 27, and 51% on Saturday
3
. The app rocketed to the No. 1 position on the U.S. App Store, climbing over 20 ranks compared to a week earlier3
. Third-party data provider Appfigures noted that Claude's total daily U.S. downloads on Saturday surpassed ChatGPT for the first time, with some estimates placing the increase as high as 88% day-over-day3
. One-star reviews for ChatGPT surged 775% on Saturday, then grew another 100% on Sunday, while five-star reviews declined by 50%3
.Ethical Concerns Regarding AI Use in National Security
The dispute centers on fundamental questions about lawful use of AI in military applications. While Sam Altman claimed in a morning memo on February 27 that OpenAI opposed AI for "mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons," the company signed the Department of Defense contract that same evening
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. OpenAI stated in a blog post that its contract allows use of its AI systems for "all lawful purposes" and that the Pentagon "considers mass domestic surveillance illegal"1
. However, critics point out that laws can change, and what is illegal now might be permitted in the future1
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Source: BNN
Amodei wrote to staff that he believes "this attempted spin/gaslighting is not working very well on the general public or the media, where people mostly see OpenAI's deal with the DoW as sketchy or suspicious, and see us as the heroes"
1
. After Anthropic refused the Pentagon's terms, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth designated the company a supply-chain risk, preventing government agencies from doing business with Anthropic2
.Related Stories
AI Safety Efforts Face Setbacks Amid Military Pressure
The conflict represents a broader retreat from AI safety commitments across the industry. Anthropic announced on February 24 that it was making changes to its Responsible Scaling Policy, a founding principle that tied model releases to safety procedures
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. The company acknowledged that "the policy environment has shifted toward prioritizing AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level"2
.The situation is complicated by OpenAI's relationship with Microsoft Azure, which had been providing Pentagon officials access to OpenAI models through Azure OpenAI services since 2023, even when OpenAI's usage policies explicitly banned military use
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. Some OpenAI employees discovered the Pentagon had already started experimenting with Azure OpenAI, and saw Pentagon officials walking through the company's San Francisco offices that year4
. By January 2024, OpenAI updated its policies to remove the blanket ban on military use, with several employees learning about the change through media reports4
.Market Implications and AI Arms Race Concerns
The fallout may have significant business implications for both companies. Menlo Ventures reported that Anthropic accounted for 40% of enterprise LLM spend in 2025, while OpenAI's enterprise share dropped to 27% from 50%
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. Following the controversy, Anthropic's revenue has reportedly shot up to about a $20 billion revenue run rate5
.The lack of international agreements on AI in military applications means every advanced military must adopt AI capabilities to remain competitive with adversaries, creating what experts describe as an unavoidable AI arms race
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. The bigger question, as observers note, is how autonomous weaponry and killer robot drones that identify and eliminate human targets entered serious consideration without international debate2
. Altman later told OpenAI employees that the company gets no say in what the Department of Defense does with its AI, stating employees don't get to weigh in on specific military operations5
.References
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