The Pentagon lists Anthropic as a "Supply Chain Risk," OpenAI swiftly takes over a defense contract

BlockBeats News, March 7th, According to The New York Times, a senior defense official confirmed that the Department of Defense has sent a formal letter to Anthropic. The company had previously threatened to sue the Department of Defense over this designation.

According to sources familiar with the matter, amid the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, Anthropic's technology is being used by the Department of Defense to analyze collected data and images to assist in military decision-making. In recent weeks, the two sides have disagreed on the use of AI systems on classified systems, with the Department of Defense requiring Anthropic's AI system to be used for all lawful purposes, or else face business cutoff; Anthropic insists that its technology not be used to monitor Americans or combined with autonomous lethal weapons.

After the deadline on Friday afternoon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on social media that Anthropic would be listed as a "national security supply chain risk" — a designation usually only applied to companies associated with the Chinese government. Hegseth also stipulated that any contractor, supplier, or partner doing business with the military must not engage in any commercial activities with the company.

As Anthropic faced a deadlock, OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI both signed confidential system technology supply agreements with the Department of Defense on Friday. OpenAI agreed to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI system for any "lawful purposes" and to maintain security principles through technical barriers. Following weekend criticism, OpenAI stated on Monday that it had amended the agreement to include additional provisions to prevent the technology from being used for mass surveillance of Americans.