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Why Did Anthropic Reject the Pentagon’s $200 Million AI Contract for Military Weapons?
The Anthropic and Pentagon Stand-off
Anthropic has firmly rejected the US Department of Defense’s ultimatum to remove artificial intelligence safeguards, prioritizing ethical boundaries over a lucrative $200 million government contract. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandated that Anthropic authorize its AI model, Claude, for “all lawful purposes,” which inherently includes military weapons applications and widespread domestic surveillance.
CEO Dario Amodei articulated the company’s steadfast refusal, emphasizing that AI technology currently lacks the reliability necessary to govern fully autonomous lethal weapons safely. Furthermore, Anthropic maintains that deploying AI for the mass surveillance of American citizens directly contradicts democratic principles and fundamental liberties.
Government Retaliation and Industry Response
Following the expiration of the ultimatum on February 27, 2026, President Trump officially banned US government agencies from utilizing Anthropic’s AI solutions. The directive implements a six-month phase-out period for the Department of Defense, with Anthropic pledging cooperation during the transition to alternative providers. This escalation highlights a broader geopolitical push for digital sovereignty, as nations increasingly seek independence from US technological infrastructure.
Competitor Solidarity
Despite the sudden availability of major defense contracts, key competitors are demonstrating unexpected solidarity with Anthropic’s ethical stance. Over 300 employees from Google and OpenAI published an open letter titled “We Will Not Be Divided,” urging their respective leadership teams to resist government pressure to undermine Anthropic.
Reports indicate that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman supports Anthropic’s position, echoing the industry’s historical resistance to controversial military AI projects. While companies like Elon Musk’s xAI appear willing to fill the void, the collective resistance from leading AI researchers signifies a critical moment in establishing ethical norms for artificial intelligence in warfare.