Pentagon Uses 5-Minute Videos to Fast-Track AI Weapons

The Pentagon has a new way to buy AI: companies submit videos no longer than five minutes, and a panel picks winners monthly. Those picked get 'post-competitive' status, letting the government skip usual bidding and buy their AI in as little as a week. The program, Tradewinds, is run by the Department of Defense's AI office. OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are all listed as participants.

This year, the military is asking for AI that can 'enhance force lethality' and help with 'kill chain execution'—the process of finding and destroying targets. That's a shift from last year, when the focus was on responsible AI and guardrails. The White House wants $1.5 trillion for defense in 2027, with AI as a priority. So this isn't just about efficiency; it's about building machines that can kill more effectively.

The catch? These deals often use 'other transaction' agreements, which bypass normal contracting rules and don't require congressional notification for up to $500 million. That means less oversight and transparency. Senator Joni Ernst has raised concerns about questionable costs and lack of accountability. A new law will require reporting, but agencies have three years to comply. So for now, billions could be spent with little public scrutiny.

For you, this means your tax dollars are funding AI weapons with less oversight than ever. It also sets a precedent: if the military can buy AI this fast, other agencies might too. And the same companies making your chatbots are now helping the Pentagon target enemies. That's a big shift in what AI is for.