Anthropic clashes with US Military over AI warfare ethics as Trump orders federal ban
74 Sources
[1]
How AI is being used in war -- and what's next
The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has thrown a spotlight on the use of artificial intelligence in warfare. Just one day before the US-Israeli offensive began on 28 February, the US government sidelined one of its main AI suppliers as part of a disagreement that
[2]
President Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic after Pentagon dispute | TechCrunch
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump directed federal agencies to cease use of all Anthropic products after the company's public dispute with the Department of Defense. The president allowed for a six-month phase-out period for departments using the products, but emphasized that Anthropic was
[3]
Anthropic Hits Back After US Military Labels It a 'Supply Chain Risk'
United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to designate Anthropic as a "supply-chain risk" on Friday, sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley and leaving many companies scrambling to understand whether they can keep using one of the industry's most popular AI
[4]
Pentagon moves to designate Anthropic as a supply-chain risk | TechCrunch
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump directed federal agencies to cease use of all Anthropic products after the company's public dispute with the Department of Defense. The president allowed for a six-month phase-out period for departments using the products, but emphasized that Anthropic was
[5]
Trump Tells Feds to Stop Using Claude AI After Anthropic Stood by Surveillance Restrictions
Expertise Artificial intelligence, home energy, heating and cooling, home technology. President Donald Trump on Friday called for US federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's Claude AI after the company refused to grant the Department of Defense permission to use it for mass domestic surveillance
[6]
Trump Moves to Ban Anthropic From the US Government
US President Donald Trump announced Friday that he was instructing every federal agency to halt the use of Anthropic's AI tools effective immediately. The move comes after Anthropic and top officials from the clashed for weeks over military applications of artificial intelligence. "The Leftwing
[7]
Defense secretary Pete Hegseth designates Anthropic a supply chain risk
Nearly two hours after President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was banning Anthropic products from the federal government, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took it one step further and announced that he was now designating the AI company as a "supply-chain risk". After a week of
[8]
Trump bans Anthropic AI from federal agencies after firm refuses to unlock capabilities -- Anthropic cites risks of autonomous military applications, mass domestic surveillance
Every federal agency has been "ordered" to cease using Claude immediately. President Donald Trump ordered every U.S. federal agency to stop using technology from AI company Anthropic on Friday, February 27, posting the directive to Truth Social at 3:47 PM ET -- more than an hour before the
[9]
Trump Slams Anthropic as 'Leftwing Nut Jobs' for Refusing Pentagon's AI Demands
President Trump on Friday blasted Anthropic as "woke" and "leftwing" for refusing to remove safeguards on its AI for use in surveillance and autonomous weapons. "WE will decide the fate of our Country -- NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real
[10]
US Military Relying on AI as Key Tool to Speed Iran Operations
The use of AI in the Iran campaign is part of a wider debate over the use of AI as a tool of war, including whether it can be used in a lawful manner, with some organizations arguing that AI-enabled decision-support systems risk introducing automation bias. US military forces are turning to a
[11]
Trump orders feds to drop 'woke' Anthropic after AI spat
President Trump has escalated Anthropic's dispute with the Defense Department with a social media post ordering the entire federal government purge the company's software from its systems. In a post on Truth Social, the President called Anthropic a "radical left, woke" company and said he was
[12]
Trump says he is directing federal agencies to cease use of Anthropic technology
WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he was directing every federal agency to immediately cease all use of Anthropic's technology, adding there would be a six-month phaseout for the Defense Department and other agencies that use the company's products. "I am
[13]
President Trump says he has banned federal agencies from using Anthropic
* Trump has ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI immediately. * The Pentagon insists on "any lawful use"; Anthropic bars domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. * Anthropic holds a $200M Pentagon contract; it may face "supply chain risk" labeling. US President Donald
[14]
Pentagon Designates Anthropic Supply Chain Risk Over AI Military Dispute
Anthropic on Friday hit back after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to designate the artificial intelligence (AI) upstart as a "supply chain risk." "This action follows months of negotiations that reached an impasse over two exceptions we requested to the lawful use of
[15]
Trump orders federal agencies to drop Anthropic's AI
On Friday afternoon, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, accusing Anthropic, the AI company behind Claude, of attempting to "STRONG-ARM" the Pentagon and directing federal agencies to "IMMEDIATELY CEASE" use of its products. At issue is Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's refusal of an updated agreement
[16]
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic AI tech 'immediately'
Trump tells U.S. government to stop using Anthropic's technology President Donald Trump said Friday that he was ordering every U.S. government agency to "immediately cease" using technology from the artificial intelligence company Anthropic. "The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a
[17]
Trump orders federal agencies to drop Anthropic services amid Pentagon feud
President Donald Trump has ordered all US government agencies to stop using Claude and other Anthropic services, escalating an already volatile feud between the Department of Defense and company over AI safeguards. Taking to Truth Social on Friday afternoon, the president said there would be a
[18]
Donald Trump Declares War on Anthropic
President Trump is terminating the government's relationship with Anthropic, an AI company whose products, until recently, were used by Pentagon officials for classified operations. Following a weekslong standoff with the company, Trump posted on Truth Social this afternoon that all federal
[19]
Claude AI Helped Bomb Iran. But How Exactly?
The use of AI in warfare is happening in a regulatory vacuum, with technology that is known to make errors, and there is a need for transparency and accountability in how these systems are used. The same artificial-intelligence model that can help you draft a marketing email or a quick dinner
[20]
Trump Threatens 'Criminal Consequences' for Anthropic Over AI Safety Guard Fight
President Donald Trump unleashed an all-caps screed against Anthropic on Friday, threatening criminal consequences for the AI company if it didn't comply with his demands. The president is upset that Anthropic has refused to drop safeguards in Claude that prohibit the Department of Defense from
[21]
Anthropic's AI tool Claude central to U.S. campaign in Iran, amid a bitter feud
Smoke rises in Tehran on Tuesday after an explosion amid airstrikes by U.S. and Israeli forces. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA/via REUTERS) In order to strike a blistering 1,000 targets in the first 24 hours of its attack on Iran, the U.S. military leveraged the most advanced artificial intelligence it's
[22]
US forces used Claude in Iran strikes even after Trump's ban: Report
Only hours after President Donald Trump announced that federal agencies should sever all ties with Anthropic and discontinue use of its AI systems, the US military reportedly continued deploying the company's Claude model in active operations against Iran. Claude was used during the large-scale
[23]
President Trump bans Anthropic from use in government systems
The Pentagon is seen from an airplane, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press hide caption In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said the U.S. government will stop using the AI-company Anthropic's products. The decision came following a dispute between
[24]
Pentagon Casts Cloud of Doubt Over Anthropic's AI Business
Anthropic PBC started this year on a winning streak, with surging sales, multiple viral products and a large funding round all giving the startup a big advantage in the costly global AI race. On Friday, the Trump administration handed down back-to-back directives that threaten to curb growth for
[25]
The Guardian view on AI in war: the Iran conflict shows that the paradigm shift has already begun
The intensified use of artificial intelligence, and rows over its control, demonstrate the need for democratic oversight and multilateral controls "Never in the future will we move as slow as we are moving now," the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, warned this week, addressing the urgent
[26]
Anthropic to take Trump's Pentagon to court over AI dispute
Why it matters: The frontier AI company is doing what few other companies have done since Trump's second term began -- directly and publicly challenging the administration. * President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened earlier Friday to cut off Anthropic from a plethora of
[27]
Trump declares Anthropic 'woke' and orders Pentagon to phase it out
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Credit: Ruhani Kaur/Bloomberg via Getty Images Negotiations between the Pentagon and the AI company Anthropic were severely complicated on Friday when President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the government would stop utilizing the company's tech. The
[28]
Trump bans 'woke' Anthropic AI and terminates all defense contracts
"We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. The administration and Anthropic disagree on who controls AI usage in domestic security and battlefields. The Pentagon previously set a deadline for Anthropic to grant "unfettered access"
[29]
After Banning Anthropic From Military Use, Pentagon Still Relying Heavily on It in Iran War
Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech Last week, Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei publicly drew a line in the sand with the US military, insisting that its AI models may not be used for mass surveillance of Americans or deadly autonomous weapons. The move infuriated
[30]
Trump orders U.S. government to stop using Anthropic but gives Pentagon 6 months to phase it out amid standoff over AI use | Fortune
President Donald Trump said Friday he will shut out Anthropic from the federal government after the AI company refused to compromise on how its technology could be used by the U.S. military. But he is also giving the Pentagon a six-month period to phaseout Anthropic's technology as it is one of
[31]
Trump orders government to ditch Anthropic in AI standoff with Pentagon
President Donald Trump said Friday that he was ordering all federal agencies to stop using AI services from Anthropic, the latest escalation in an increasingly bitter feud between his administration and the AI startup that makes Claude. "The United States of America will never allow a radical
[32]
Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Dump 'Woke' Anthropic AI After Pentagon Dispute - Decrypt
Trump has given agencies six months to phase out Anthropic systems. President Donald Trump has directed all U.S. federal agencies to stop using artificial intelligence technology developed by Anthropic, escalating a dispute between the AI company and the Pentagon over how the military uses the
[33]
Inside the US's AI plans for defence and future warfare
The US military used Anthropic's Claude AI, but after Anthropic refused to remove guardrails against mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, the Pentagon cancelled the contract and turned to OpenAI. Media reports that the US military used Anthropic's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Claude
[34]
How the US might be using AI in Iran
In the week leading up to President Donald Trump's war in Iran, the Pentagon was waging a different battle: a fight with the AI company Anthropic over its flagship AI model, Claude. That conflict came to a head on Friday, when Trump said that the federal government would immediately stop using
[35]
Anthropic's Claude AI being used in Iran war by U.S. military, sources say
Camilla Schick is a British journalist in D.C. and CBS News' foreign affairs producer, covering U.S. foreign relations, the State Department and national security. Two sources familiar with the U.S. military's use of artificial intelligence confirm that the U.S. used Anthropic's Claude AI model
[36]
Trump tells US govt to 'immediately' stop using Anthropic AI tech
Washington (United States) (AFP) - President Donald Trump told the US government Friday to "immediately" stop using Anthropic's technology after the AI startup rejected the Pentagon's demand that it agree to unconditional military use of its Claude models. Anthropic insists its technology should
[37]
Trump bans Anthropic from government use
After months of increasingly heated rhetoric between the Defense Department and leading AI company Anthropic over the military's use of its systems, President Donald Trump announced Friday afternoon that he was banning federal agencies from using Anthropic's services. "I am directing EVERY Federal
[38]
US military reportedly used Claude in Iran strikes despite Trump's ban
Trump calls Anthropic a 'Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about' The US military reportedly used Claude, Anthropic's AI model, to inform its attack on Iran despite Donald Trump's decision, announced hours earlier, to sever all ties with the company
[39]
Former Trump official: Anthropic order "attempted corporate murder"
Why it matters: It's a recognition of the stakes in the administration's effort to cull what Trump calls a "woke" company -- one that happens to have lately dominated the field. Driving the news: Anthropic rejected the Pentagon's demand to lift all safeguards on the military's use of its model,
[40]
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic products - SiliconANGLE
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic products U.S. President Donald Trump today ordered federal agencies to stop using technology from Anthropic PBC. The ban will also have to be upheld by military suppliers, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced separately on X. Both
[41]
US Military Using Claude to Select Targets in Iran Strikes
Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech The ongoing attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, launched by a joint coalition of US and Israeli military forces, have so far claimed 555 Iranian lives, including 165 deaths from an attack on an elementary school in Southern
[42]
US reportedly used Anthropic's AI for its attack on Iran
President Trump ordered a halt to all federal use of Anthropic technology. The US conducted a major air attack on Iran using Anthropic AI tools hours after the order. The ban highlights a conflict between immediate operational needs and policy decisions regarding AI vendors. The Department of
[43]
US Military Used Anthropic AI in Iran Strike Despite Trump Ban: Report
The US military reportedly used Anthropic during a major air strike on Iran, only hours after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to halt use of the company's systems. Military commands, including US Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Middle East, used Anthropic's Claude AI model for
[44]
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic
Washington | President Donald Trump said on Friday (Saturday AEDT) he was ordering all federal agencies to phase out use of Anthropic technology after the company's unusually public dispute with the Pentagon over artificial intelligence safety. Trump's comments came just over an hour before the
[45]
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls White House's actions "retaliatory and punitive"
Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in an exclusive interview with CBS News Friday that
[46]
Trump news at a glance: president blasts AI company for standing firm on safety guardrails US military wants lifted
Anthropic has resisted allowing its Claude AI system to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons systems - key US politics stories from Friday, 27 February at a glance Donald Trump said Friday he will direct all federal agencies to "IMMEDIATELY CEASE" all use of artificial intelligence
[47]
Trump moves to blacklist Anthropic AI from all government work
The big picture: Anthropic rebuffed the Pentagon's demand to lift all safeguards on the military's use of its model, Claude, due to its concerns about the use of AI for mass domestic surveillance and the development of weapons that fire without human involvement. Driving the news: The Pentagon is
[48]
Anthropic AI Aided U.S. Attack in Iran, Despite Trump Ban
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Middle East reportedly deployed Claude to assess intelligence, identify targets, and simulate potential battle plans, according to insiders. Observers say Claude's utilization in the wake of the proclaimed ban demonstrates that AI is so deeply rooted in
[49]
Trump directs federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI tech
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Feb. 27 that he was directing every federal agency to immediately cease work with artificial intelligence lab Anthropic, adding there would be a six-month phaseout for the Defense Department and other agencies that use the company's products. "I am
[50]
Trump bans Anthropic from government use after company refuses to lift AI safeguards
Rob has been an Editorial Director at Lifewire, a news writer at Engadget, and a senior contributor at Cult of Mac. He's written about PCs, Macs, mobile phones, and games, created newsrooms from the ground up, and has extensive experience reviewing hardware, software, and games across his
[51]
Anthropic calls supply chain risk designation 'unprecedented,' 'legally unsound'
Anthropic called the Pentagon's decision Friday to designate the AI company as a supply chain risk an "unprecedented action," arguing it is "legally unsound" and would "set a dangerous precedent." "Designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk would be an unprecedented action -- one historically
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Trump Says He Is Directing Federal Agencies to Cease Use of Anthropic Technology
WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he was directing every federal agency to immediately cease all use of Anthropic's technology, adding there would be a six-month phase out for agencies such as the Defense Department who use the company's products. "I am
[53]
Hegseth declares Anthropic a supply chain risk, barring military contractors from doing business with 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deemed artificial intelligence firm Anthropic a "supply chain risk to national security" on Friday, following days of increasingly
[54]
The new kill chain: America is using AI to bomb targets in Iran
Iran war: The American military's engagement in Iran serves as a proving ground for cutting-edge artificial intelligence. By enhancing intelligence analysis and optimising target selection, AI enables commanders to act decisively and swiftly. Nonetheless, the ultimate authority rests with human
[55]
Trump Orders All Federal Agencies To Phase Out Use Of Anthropic Technology
Anthropic said it sought narrow assurances from the Pentagon that Claude won't be used for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons. But after months of private talks exploded into public debate, it said in a Thursday statement that new contract language "framed as compromise
[56]
Anthropic Just Got Fired by the U.S. Government. It's the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Its Brand
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that every federal agency must immediately cease using the company's AI models, including its flagship Claude system. The Department of Defense and other agencies have a six-month timeline to stop using the AI company's technology. Trump also warned of
[57]
Hegseth says Pentagon designating Anthropic as supply chain risk after Trump bans AI firm
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk shortly after President Trump directed all federal agencies to cease using the company's technology amid an ongoing feud with the Défense Department (DOD). "Effective immediately, no contractor,
[58]
Trump orders US agencies to stop use of Anthropic technology amid dispute over ethics of AI
Department of Defense and artificial intelligence company were unable to reach agreement before deadline Donald Trump said Friday he will direct all federal agencies to "IMMEDIATELY CEASE" all use of Anthropic technology. The Department of Defense and Anthropic have hit an impasse with neither
[59]
Apparent use of AI in Iran war raises daunting questions, expert says
Suspected widespread use of artificial intelligence to select targets and launch attacks on Iran raises many questions and fears that human control of war machinery could be slipping, a leading expert said Wednesday. The United States and Israel have carried out thousands of strikes across Iran
[60]
Pentagon Used Anthropic's Claude AI During Iran Strike Hours After Trump Ordered Ban: Report - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
U.S. Central Command reportedly used Anthropic's Claude AI during the Trump administration's major air operation against Iran, just hours after the president ordered federal agencies to stop using the company's technology. Claude Deeply Embedded Across Combat Operations The Wall Street Journal,
[61]
Trump orders federal ban on Anthropic software over 'leftist' restrictions on military AI use
President Donald Trump reacts at the end of the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026. US President Donald Trump ordered on Friday that all federal agencies stop using software developed by Anthropic, the company responsible for creating
[62]
Claude AI helped bomb Iran. But how exactly?
The US military has employed Anthropic's Claude AI for critical functions like intelligence assessments and target identification during strikes on Iran. Despite a presidential order to halt its use, the AI's deep integration means it will take months to remove. This deployment highlights the
[63]
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI technology
Washington -- President Trump announced Friday that he is ordering all federal agencies to "immediately" stop using Anthropic's AI technology, as the company nears a Pentagon deadline to drop its guardrails over the military's use of its AI. "I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United
[64]
Donald Trump Dumps Anthropic From U.S. Government: 'We Don't Want It'
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump raged at Anthropic, the company behind the Claude family of AI models, for opposing demands from the Department of War to allow their AI to autonomously operate lethal weapons and surveil Americans. Trump directed all federal agencies to
[65]
Trump orders federal agencies to 'immediately cease' using Anthropic technology
President Trump on Friday directed federal agencies to "immediately cease" using Anthropic technology amid an escalating feud between the AI company and the Pentagon. "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS!
[66]
Trump directs U.S. agencies to toss Anthropic's AI as Pentagon calls startup a supply risk
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he is directing the government to stop work with Anthropic and the Pentagon said it will declare the startup a supply-chain risk, dealing a major blow to the artificial intelligence lab after a showdown about technology guardrails. Trump added there would be
[67]
Pentagon casts cloud of doubt over Anthropic's AI business
Anthropic PBC started this year on a winning streak, with surging sales, multiple viral products and a large funding round all giving the startup a big advantage in the costly global AI race. On Friday, the Trump administration handed down back-to-back directives that threaten to curb growth for
[68]
US Military Used Claude AI After Trump's Anthropic Ban, Claims Report
The command used Anthropic's AI for intelligence assessments, target identification, and simulating battle scenarios. Prior to the Iran attack, Claude AI was also used by the Pentagon during the capture of Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro. In a Truth Social post about ending the deal with
[69]
Trump orders all federal agencies to phase out use of Anthropic technology
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Friday he was ordering all federal agencies to phase out the use of Anthropic technology after the company's unusually public dispute with the Pentagon over artificial intelligence safety. Trump's comments came just over an hour before the Pentagon's
[70]
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI models,...
President Trump said Friday that he has directed all federal agencies to "immediately cease" working with Anthropic, blasting the AI company's leadership as "leftwing nut jobs." The scathing announcement from Trump brought an abrupt end to a major dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon, which
[71]
Trump orders US agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in clash over AI safety
The Trump administration on Friday ordered all U.S. agencies to stop using Anthropic's artificial intelligence technology and imposed other major penalties, culminating an unusually public clash between the government and the company over AI safety. President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete
[72]
Trump says he is directing federal agencies to cease use of Anthropic technology
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he was directing every federal agency to immediately cease all use of Anthropic's technology, adding there would be a six-month phase out for agencies such as the Defence Department who use the company's products. "I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in
[73]
Trump says he is directing federal agencies to cease use of Anthropic technology
WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he was directing every federal agency to immediately cease all use of Anthropic's technology, adding there would be a six-month phase out for agencies such as the Defense Department who use the company's products. "I am
[74]
US-Israel strike on Iran relied on Anthropic AI despite Trump's ban: Report
OpenAI later secured a Pentagon agreement to deploy AI systems in classified military networks. The US military reportedly deployed AI software developed by Anthropic during a massive air operation against Iran, even after President Donald Trump had redirected federal agencies to discontinue the
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Anthropic refused to allow its Claude AI to be used for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, leading President Trump to order federal agencies to stop using the company's technology. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk, barring military contractors from working with the firm. The dispute highlights mounting tensions between AI tech companies and government over ethical boundaries in military applications.
Anthropic Stands Firm on AI Safety Principles
A high-stakes standoff between Anthropic and the US Military has exposed deep divisions over how AI in warfare should be deployed. The conflict erupted when Anthropic refused to remove safeguards preventing its Claude AI from being used for mass surveillance of Americans or to guide autonomous weapons without human oversight
1
. CEO Dario Amodei stated the company "cannot in good conscience" comply with the Department of Defense demand that AI models be available for "any lawful use" without constraints5
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Source: Digit
The disagreement centers on a $200-million contract under which Claude AI has powered the Maven Smart System since 2024
1
. In January, the Department of Defense issued a memo requiring all AI procurement contracts to permit unrestricted lawful use. When Anthropic refused to comply by the Friday deadline set by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to "immediately cease" using Anthropic products, allowing a six-month phase-out period2
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Source: The Hill
Pentagon Designates Anthropic as Supply-Chain Risk
Hegseth escalated the dispute by designating Anthropic a supply-chain risk to national security, effectively barring any contractor, supplier, or partner doing business with the US military from conducting commercial activity with the company
3
. The designation sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, with companies scrambling to understand whether they must sever ties with one of the industry's most popular AI models3
.Anthropic responded by announcing it would "challenge any supply chain risk designation in court," arguing such action would "set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government"
3
. The company maintained it received no direct communication from the Pentagon or White House regarding negotiations. Legal experts questioned whether Hegseth possessed statutory authority for such sweeping restrictions, with federal contract specialists unable to determine which Anthropic customers must cut ties3
.OpenAI Steps In as Alternative Provider
Following the government-tech company rupture, the US Military quickly signed a deal with OpenAI to deploy its AI models in classified environments
3
. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the agreement includes similar protections against domestic mass surveillance and requires human responsibility for use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. In an internal memo, Altman reportedly told employees OpenAI maintains the same redlines as Anthropic but believed these guardrails could be managed through technical requirements5
.The Maven Smart System, which uses AI models for applications including image processing and tactical support, speeds up attack capabilities by suggesting and prioritizing targets
1
. The system has been used in previous conflicts and reportedly in recent attacks on Iran. As of March 5, Dario Amodei was reportedly back in talks with the department, suggesting potential resolution remains possible1
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Source: Japan Times
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Ethical Dilemmas and International Regulation Efforts
The dispute underscores broader concerns about military applications of AI technology. While AI's precision targeting could theoretically reduce civilian casualties, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza where AI assists target identification have seen high civilian death tolls
1
. Political geographer Craig Jones notes "there is no evidence that AI lowers civilian deaths or wrongful targeting decisions and it may be that the opposite is true"1
.Academics and legal experts met in Geneva this week to discuss lethal autonomous weapons systems as part of long-running efforts toward international agreement on ethical or legal uses of AI in warfare
1
. Political scientist Michael Horowitz at the University of Pennsylvania observes that rapid technological development is outpacing slow international discussions. LLMs powering fully autonomous weapons without human oversight are not currently reliable and do not comply with international laws requiring the ability to distinguish between military and civilian targets1
.Employees at Google and OpenAI circulated a petition calling on company leaders to refuse permission for AI models to be used for domestic mass surveillance or to autonomously kill people without human oversight
1
. The petition argued the Pentagon is "trying to divide each company with fear that the other will give in"5
. A project led by political scientist Toni Erskine concluded that "fully autonomous weapons systems without a human in the loop are ethically untenable and should be banned internationally," while noting non-autonomous systems also carry risks requiring regulation1
.Michael Pastor, dean for technology law programs at New York Law School, said Anthropic is "right to press hard on what 'for lawful purposes' means," noting that if the Pentagon is unwilling to clarify whether it would use the technology for mass domestic surveillance, "that raises flags Anthropic seems justified in waving"
5
. The conflict escalation between AI tech companies and government may determine what leverage each holds when their views on appropriate technology use clash, with significant ramifications for future defense contracts5
.References
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