Anthropic's Stalemate with Pentagon Over AI Safeguards

Anthropic is in a tense negotiation with the Pentagon regarding the use of its AI model, Claude, as a deadline approaches. CEO Dario Amodei has expressed concerns over the lack of adequate safeguards against mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. With the Pentagon insisting on broad access for 'all lawful purposes,' the stakes are high. If an agreement isn't reached by the deadline, significant repercussions could follow, including potential blacklisting of Anthropic. The company remains committed to finding a resolution that aligns with its safety standards.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 27, 2026, 05:38 IST

Negotiations Stalled as Deadline Approaches

Anthropic has reported minimal progress in its discussions with the Pentagon, with CEO Dario Amodei stating that the company cannot accept what defense officials are labeling as their final proposal regarding AI safety measures. This announcement comes as a critical deadline looms, set for Friday at 5:01 p.m., by which Anthropic must decide whether to allow the Department of Defense to utilize its Claude model without the desired restrictions or face significant repercussions. In a statement, the company expressed concern that the contract language received from the Department of War did not adequately address the prevention of Claude's use for mass surveillance of American citizens or in fully autonomous weapon systems. They noted that the proposed compromise included terms that could allow these safeguards to be disregarded at the Pentagon's discretion. “Despite recent public comments from DOW, these specific safeguards have been central to our negotiations for several months.”

The company clarified that it is not abandoning the negotiations and expects discussions to continue until the deadline. The Pentagon has not publicly responded to Anthropic's latest remarks.

Significance of the Dispute

Why This Fight Matters

The fundamental issue at hand is straightforward: Anthropic seeks definitive regulations to ensure that Claude is not employed for mass surveillance of U.S. citizens or in fully autonomous weaponry. Conversely, the Pentagon asserts that its AI models must be accessible for 'all lawful purposes' in classified contexts, without exceptions. This 'all lawful purposes' criterion is not exclusive to Anthropic; it is a standard requirement applied by the department universally. Other companies, such as xAI, have already entered into contracts under these terms for classified projects. Additionally, negotiations to involve OpenAI and Google in classified applications are reportedly advancing quickly. Notably, Anthropic is the only firm whose model has been actively utilized in classified settings thus far.

Potential Outcomes

What Could Happen Next

If an agreement is not reached by Friday evening, the Pentagon has begun preparing for potential consequences. Defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been asked to evaluate their vulnerability to Anthropic, which implies assessing the impact if the company is blacklisted as a supply chain risk. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also indicated a willingness to invoke the Defense Production Act to compel Anthropic to provide Claude without restrictions. Legal experts suggest that such an order may face significant legal challenges. Amodei reiterated Anthropic's commitment to working with the Pentagon on this matter. 'It is the Department’s prerogative to select contractors that align with their vision. However, considering the considerable value that Anthropic’s technology offers to our armed forces, we hope they will reconsider. Our strong preference is to continue supporting the Department and our warfighters—with the two requested safeguards in place,' the statement concluded. The company remains hopeful for a resolution before the deadline arrives.