OpenAI has secured a significant agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy its artificial intelligence models on classified military networks. This deal was finalized just hours after the White House ordered federal agencies to cease using technology from competitor Anthropic.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed the Pentagon contract, stating the company will provide its models within the department’s “classified network.” He emphasized the Defense Department’s commitment to safety and its willingness to adhere to OpenAI’s operational boundaries.
This development follows a tumultuous week for the AI sector. Earlier the same day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a “Supply-Chain Risk to National Security,” a move that compels defense contractors to stop using Anthropic's AI models. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump directed all U.S. federal agencies to halt their use of Anthropic technology.
Reports indicate that negotiations between Anthropic and the Pentagon collapsed over the company’s insistence on guarantees against the use of its software for autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance. The Defense Department, conversely, required the technology to be available for all lawful military purposes.
Anthropic expressed its disappointment with the designation and plans to challenge the decision legally, warning of potential repercussions for future negotiations between American tech firms and government agencies.
OpenAI stated its new agreement incorporates similar restrictions, prohibiting domestic mass surveillance and mandating human responsibility in decisions involving the use of force, including automated weapons systems.
