Google has granted the U.S. Department of Defense access to its AI for classified networks, essentially allowing all lawful uses, according to multiple news reports.
This deal follows Anthropic’s public stand against the Trump administration after the model maker refused to grant the DoD the same terms. The Pentagon wanted unrestricted use of AI, whereas Anthropic wanted guardrails to prevent its AI from being used for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons.
Because Anthropic refused those use cases, the DoD branded the model maker a “supply-chain risk” — a designation normally reserved for foreign adversaries. Anthropic and the DoD are now embroiled in a lawsuit, with a judge last month granting Anthropic an injunction against the designation while the case proceeds.
Google marks the third AI company to try and turn Anthropic’s loss into its own gain. OpenAI immediately signed a deal with the DoD, as did xAI. Google’s agreement includes some language saying that it doesn’t intend for its AI to be used for domestic mass surveillance or in autonomous weapons, The Wall Street Journal reports, which is similar to contract language with OpenAI. But it is unclear whether such provisions are legally binding or enforceable, per the WSJ.
Google entered this deal even though 950 of its employees have signed an open letter asking it to follow Anthropic’s lead and not sell AI to the Defense Department without similar guardrails. Google did not respond to a request for comment.
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Julie Bort
Venture Editor
Julie Bort is the Startups/Venture Desk editor for TechCrunch.You can contact or verify outreach from Julie by emailing julie.bort@techcrunch.com or via @Julie188 on X. View Bio
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