Google expands Pentagon access to AI after Anthropic rejection

Google has granted the US Department of Defense access to its artificial intelligence for covert networks, essentially allowing all legal uses, according to multiple news reports.

This deal comes on the heels of Anthropic’s public stance against the Trump administration after the model maker refused to give the Department of Defense the same terms. The Pentagon wanted unfettered use of AI, while Anthropic wanted guardrails to prevent AI from being used for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons.

Because Anthropic rejected these use cases, the Defense Department labeled the model’s maker a “supply chain risk” — a designation usually reserved for foreign adversaries. Anthropic and the Department of Defense are now embroiled in a lawsuit, with a judge last month granting Anthropic an anti-classification injunction while the case continues.

Google represents the third AI company trying to turn Anthropic’s loss into its own gain. OpenAI immediately signed a deal with the Department of Defense, as did xAI. Google’s agreement includes some language saying it does not intend to use its AI for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons, the Wall Street Journal reported, which is similar to the language of the contract with OpenAI. But it is unclear whether these provisions are legally binding or enforceable, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Google entered into the deal even though 950 of its employees signed an open letter asking it to follow Anthropic’s lead and not sell AI to the Department of Defense without similar guardrails. Google did not respond to a request for comment.