AI firm Anthropic risks losing a $200 million Pentagon contract over its refusal to allow its technology for mass surveillance of US citizens or fully autonomous weapons.
Executives are set to meet with Pentagon officials on Tuesday to discuss the dispute, amid pressure from the military to make Anthropic’s AI models available for any lawful defense applications.
Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI employees in 2021, has maintained a safety-first philosophy, even as it competes with OpenAI, Google, and xAI in supplying AI for military and civilian uses.
Pentagon officials have expressed frustration, warning that Anthropic could be barred from future defense contracts if it continues to limit applications of its AI technology.
Anthropic said it remains committed to supporting US national security and has held “productive conversations” with the Department of War to address complex concerns, though negotiations reportedly risk breaking down.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 24, 2026
