Particle.news
Download on the App Store

AnthropicPentagon Standoff Over AI Use Halts $200 Million Talks

Pentagon officials cite a recent AI memo to counter Anthropic’s guardrails on autonomous targeting, domestic surveillance.

Overview

  • Anthropic is pressing for usage limits that would bar autonomous weapons targeting and U.S. domestic surveillance without strict human oversight, according to the reporting.
  • Defense officials argue the department can deploy commercial AI consistent with U.S. law regardless of vendor policies, referencing a January 9 strategy memo.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the department will not use AI models that limit military operations, according to CoinCentral’s account.
  • Anthropic says its models are already used on U.S. national security missions and that discussions with the department remain productive.
  • The impasse creates near-term business risk for Anthropic as it pursues defense work and prepares for a potential public offering, according to the reports.