The Pentagon has directed defense contractors to evaluate their dependence on Anthropic's artificial intelligence services. This action comes as the Department of Defense seeks to compel the AI provider to lift restrictions on military use by a Friday deadline.
The Defense Department has been in extended discussions with Anthropic, which has reportedly shown no inclination to ease its usage limitations for military applications. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has communicated to Anthropic's CEO that non-compliance could lead to actions, including designating the company a supply-chain risk or utilizing legal measures to enforce rule changes.
Contractors, including Lockheed Martin, have been asked to assess their reliance on Anthropic. Boeing has also been contacted regarding this matter. The Pentagon's push extends to major AI firms, urging them to make their tools accessible on classified networks without standard restrictions, particularly concerning safeguards against autonomous targeting and U.S. surveillance.
This dispute is significant as the Department of Defense reportedly utilized Anthropic's AI products in a past military operation.