Google has signed a new contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, granting the Pentagon access to its AI for classified networks and effectively allowing all lawful uses, multiple news outlets report.
This move comes on the heels of Anthropic's public refusal to allow the DoD to use its AI for purposes like domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. Anthropic demanded guardrails, which the Pentagon rejected, leading the DoD to label the AI company a "supply-chain risk"—a designation usually reserved for foreign adversaries. The two are now locked in a legal battle, with a judge recently granting Anthropic an injunction against the designation.
Google's decision to broaden the Pentagon's access to its AI systems positions the tech giant as a key supplier for military AI applications, filling the gap left by Anthropic's withdrawal.