WASHINGTON: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei announced on Thursday that the AI company intends to legally contest the Department of Defense’s decision to designate it as a supply-chain risk, calling the classification “legally unsound.” The move follows a weeks-long dispute over military access and control of Anthropic’s AI technologies.
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Amodei stressed that Anthropic’s AI will not be used for mass surveillance of Americans or for fully autonomous weapons, while the Pentagon has argued that it requires unrestricted access to AI systems for all lawful purposes. The supply-chain risk designation bars companies from providing certain technology to the Department of Defense and its contractors, but Amodei said the measure is narrowly applied.
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“The vast majority of our customers will not be affected,” Amodei said, clarifying that the restriction applies only to Pentagon contracts, not broader business relationships. He also argued that the law requires the government to adopt the least restrictive approach necessary to protect its supply chain.
Amodei addressed a recently leaked internal memo in which he had criticized rival OpenAI’s military collaborations as “safety theater.” He apologized for the memo and its tone, explaining it was written on a challenging day following federal announcements and that he no longer stands by those views. OpenAI has since announced a deal that will replace Anthropic in certain defense projects.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Amodei emphasized that Anthropic remains committed to supporting U.S. military operations, including ongoing missions in Iran, providing AI models at nominal cost to facilitate continuity during the transition.
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Legal experts note that Anthropic faces a steep challenge in court, as federal courts generally defer to the government on matters involving national security. Nevertheless, the company plans to pursue its legal options to overturn the Pentagon’s designation.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between AI developers and government agencies over ethical safeguards, access, and control of emerging technologies in military contexts.