Pentagon strikes classified AI deals with OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia — but not Anthropic
Anthropic excluded after refusing to ease red lines on surveillance and autonomous weapons...
The Pentagon announced agreements with seven AI companies — OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Elon Musk’s xAI, and startup Reflection — to provide their tools for classified military use. The deals build on existing Pentagon relationships with OpenAI and xAI, while Google’s agreement reportedly follows the same 'lawful' use framework. Microsoft and Amazon have deep existing ties, while Nvidia and Reflection are new.
Notably absent is Anthropic, which previously had a $200 million contract to handle classified materials. The startup refused to soften its 'red lines' against mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons, leading the Pentagon to declare it a supply chain risk. Anthropic sued and won a temporary injunction. Pentagon CTO Emil Michael acknowledged Anthropic’s Mythos model has unique cyber vulnerability capabilities but said the organization remains a security concern. The strategy aims to establish 'an AI-first fighting force.'
- Pentagon signed classified AI deals with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, xAI, and Reflection.
- Anthropic was excluded after refusing to loosen red lines on mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.
- Anthropic sued the federal government and won a temporary injunction; Pentagon still calls it a supply chain risk.
- Pentagon CTO praised Anthropic’s Mythos model for finding and patching cyber vulnerabilities.
Why It Matters
Military AI contracts are reshaping the industry, prioritizing compliance over ethics — a major shift for national security.