While Anthropic took a stand earlier this year to limit how its AI tech is used in classified military settings, it seems like the rest of Silicon Valley isn\u2019t too concerned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four more tech companies have struck deals with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to deploy their advanced AI capabilities on classified military networks for \u201clawful operational use.\u201d<\/p>\n
Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, and startup Reflection AI were named as the latest companies to sign agreements with the Pentagon, according to a DoD press release<\/a>. They join SpaceX, OpenAI, and Google, bringing the total number of AI companies participating in classified military work to seven.<\/p>\n \u201cThese agreements accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force and will strengthen our warfighters\u2019 ability to maintain decision superiority across all domains of warfare,\u201d the press release reads.\u00a0<\/p>\n The press release added that integrating advanced AI systems into classified networks will \u201cstreamline data synthesis, elevate situational understanding, and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor more than a decade, AWS has been committed to supporting our nation\u2019s military and ensuring that our warfighters and defense partners have access to the best technology at the best value,\u201d AWS Spokesperson Tim Barrett told Gizmodo in an emailed statement. \u201cWe look forward to continuing to support the Department of War\u2019s modernization efforts, building AI solutions that help them accomplish their critical missions.\u201d<\/p>\n Microsoft, Nvidia, and Reflection AI did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Gizmodo.<\/p>\n The deals come as concerns grow around the use of AI for surveillance and military applications.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Anthropic, which at the time was the only major AI company working with the Pentagon on classified systems, reportedly hit a wall in negotiations with the DoD after officials pushed for language<\/a> allowing Anthropic\u2019s technology to be used for \u201cany lawful purpose.\u201d The biggest sticking points involved potential uses tied to domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons systems. In both situations, there are arguments that AI could already be legally used for those purposes. There\u2019s also the fact that laws and courts\u2019 interpretations of those laws change all the time, and the U.S. has very little legislation that was written with AI in mind.<\/p>\n After those talks reportedly fell apart, the Trump administration designated the company as a supply chain risk<\/a>. Anthropic later filed two lawsuits against the Defense Department in response. Since then, however, President Donald Trump has said his administration has had \u201csome very good talks\u201d with Anthropic and suggested a future agreement<\/a> restoring the company\u2019s access to Pentagon work could still be \u201cpossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Anthropic\u2019s most advanced AI model, Mythos, has further complicated matters. The model, which has only been released to a select number of organizations, is reportedly already being tested by the National Security Agency (NSA)<\/a> to help identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities in widely used software, including Microsoft products.<\/p>\n