Hegseth gives Anthropic a deadline on military use of its AI

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Anthropic's CEO to allow unrestricted military use of the company's AI or face contract consequences, and Anthropic's CEO held firm against fully autonomous targeting and domestic surveillance.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and set a short deadline for the company to open its AI technology to unrestricted military use, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Anthropic has said it will not permit fully autonomous targeting or domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens. The exchange came amid a broader debate over how commercial AI should be integrated into national security systems. Pentagon officials discussed potential administrative steps if Anthropic does not comply. What was reported: - Hegseth gave a deadline (to Friday) for Anthropic to permit unrestricted military use or risk losing its Pentagon contract, according to an anonymous source. - Anthropic's CEO stated the company will not allow fully autonomous military targeting or AI-enabled domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens. - Officials warned they could cancel the contract, designate Anthropic a supply chain risk, or use the Defense Production Act to increase government authority over the technology. - Anthropic is one of four companies awarded contracts to help build the Pentagon's secure AI platform, and companies are operating at differing classification levels. Summary: The meeting underscores tensions between the Pentagon’s push to adopt commercial AI and some companies’ public safety limits. Anthropic has a stated Friday deadline to respond, and Pentagon officials have outlined possible consequences if the company does not change its stance. The immediate outcome after that deadline is undetermined at this time.