Background

The U.S. Department of Defense is pressing artificial‑intelligence companies to allow the military to use their products for any lawful purpose. This demand extends to several major AI developers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and xAI.

Anthropic’s Resistance

According to reports, Anthropic has been the most reluctant to accede to the Pentagon’s request. The company’s stance centers on a set of usage‑policy concerns, specifically its limits on fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance. Anthropic has indicated that it has not discussed the use of its Claude models for any particular military operation.

Contract Tension

The Pentagon’s push has led to a serious dispute over Anthropic’s $200 million contract. Sources say the department is threatening to discontinue the agreement if the company does not broaden its usage permissions.

Disagreement Over Claude Usage

Earlier reporting highlighted a significant disagreement between Anthropic and Defense Department officials regarding the deployment of Claude models. One notable instance mentioned was the use of Claude in a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Comparison With Other AI Firms

While Anthropic remains firm, an anonymous official from the Trump administration noted that at least one of the other AI companies has agreed to the Pentagon’s terms, and the remaining firms have shown some flexibility. This contrast underscores Anthropic’s distinctive position in the negotiations.

Company Response

Anthropic did not immediately respond to inquiries from TechCrunch. A company spokesperson, speaking to Axios, reiterated that Anthropic has not engaged in discussions about specific operations and remains focused on its policy limits concerning autonomous weapons and surveillance.

Implications

The standoff highlights broader tensions between national security objectives and AI companies’ ethical guidelines. The outcome could shape how advanced AI models are integrated into military activities and influence future government‑industry contracts.

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