Pentagon announces agreements with seven AI companies (SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft, AWS) for classified military networks, notably excluding Anthropic amid dispute over AI access restrictions.

The Department of Defense announced Friday that it has signed agreements with SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services to use their AI technologies for classified Pentagon systems. The companies will help 'streamline data synthesis, elevate situational understanding and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments.'

Anthropic was absent from the deal after a public fallout with the Pentagon over the company's refusal to provide unrestricted access to its Claude AI program for 'all lawful use.' The Pentagon labeled Anthropic a 'supply chain risk,' citing concerns over Claude's possible uses in government mass surveillance and autonomous weapons systems.

Over 1.3 million Department of Defense personnel use GenAI.mil, the Pentagon's official AI platform, and the department said 'Warfighters, civilians and contractors are putting these capabilities to practical use right now, cutting many tasks from months to days.'