President Donald Trump directed all federal agencies to cease the use of AI tools developed by Anthropic, following a series of disagreements between the company and military officials regarding the application of artificial intelligence in defense. Trump's statement on Truth Social criticized Anthropic, suggesting that the company had made a significant error in its interactions with the Department of Defense.
As part of this directive, Trump announced a six-month phase-out period for federal agencies currently utilizing Anthropic's technology, which could provide an opportunity for further negotiations. In a related development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that Anthropic would be classified as a "supply chain risk," a designation typically reserved for foreign entities that pose a threat to national security. This classification would prevent the military and its contractors from engaging with Anthropic.
The conflict emerged after Anthropic resisted changes proposed by the Pentagon to a previous agreement, which aimed to loosen restrictions on how AI technologies could be employed. The company voiced concerns that these changes could lead to the deployment of AI in ways that include lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance of citizens. While the Pentagon maintains that it does not intend to utilize AI in these capacities, officials expressed apprehension about a civilian tech company's influence over military operations.
Anthropic, which was the first major AI lab to partner with the Pentagon, has previously engaged in military contracts, developing AI models for various applications. The ongoing dispute highlights the evolving relationship between Silicon Valley and defense sectors, amid growing tensions over the ethical implications of AI in military contexts.