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Pentagon vs. AI Lab: War Over WMDs looms
27 Feb
Summary
- Pentagon threatens Anthropic over AI use in warfare.
- Deadline looms Friday for Pentagon-AI lab dispute.
- AI's role in autonomous weapons sparks debate.

A critical deadline approaches on Friday, Feb 27, for a heated dispute between the Pentagon and leading AI company Anthropic. The conflict centers on the military's potential use of artificial intelligence in combat operations and the management of its inherent risks. The Pentagon insists on allowing any lawful application of AI and has threatened Anthropic's business if it refuses to remove additional safety protocols.
This standoff highlights deep divisions regarding AI's deployment on the battlefield, particularly concerning autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance. Anthropic, co-founded by former OpenAI executive Dario Amodei, has previously expressed concerns about AI's rapid advancement outpacing legal frameworks. Despite recent contract negotiations and revised language from the Pentagon, an impasse remains, with Anthropic stating virtually no progress was made.
The Pentagon has warned it will terminate its work with Anthropic and potentially label it a supply-chain risk if its demands aren't met. Experts question the legality of the Pentagon's second threat: invoking the Defense Production Act to compel Anthropic's use, regardless of the company's willingness.




