Anthropic has decided to decline the Pentagon’s latest proposal to alter their existing contract. The company emphasizes that the changes do not address their ethical concerns regarding the use of AI in military applications, including mass surveillance and autonomous weaponry.
Pentagon’s Offer and Contractual Dispute
The Pentagon is in disagreement with Anthropic over limitations the company has imposed on the military use of Claude, the first AI system intended for the classified military network. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, that if the AI model is not utilized for “all lawful purposes,” the Pentagon may terminate Anthropic’s $200 million contract.
- Pentagon’s warning includes classifying Anthropic as a “supply chain risk.”
- This classification typically applies to companies linked to foreign adversaries.
Anthropic’s Concerns and Responses
In their official statement, Anthropic describes the Pentagon’s proposal as a compromise, yet accompanied by legal language that could undermine safeguards. Amodei articulated his belief in the importance of AI to bolster national defense. However, he highlighted their stance:
- AI can potentially threaten democratic values in certain contexts.
- Current technology cannot safely manage applications like mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.
Amodei also noted that the limitations imposed by Anthropic have not hindered the military’s adoption of their AI models. He reiterated that the company cannot ethically agree to the Pentagon’s request.
Reactions from Pentagon Officials
Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s Undersecretary for Research and Engineering, responded sharply to Amodei’s public statements. He accused Amodei of dishonesty and suggested that the CEO aims to unduly influence military decisions while risking national safety. Michael stressed that the Pentagon will comply with legal standards rather than succumbing to the demands of private tech companies.
Support for Anthropic
Following Amodei’s blog post, several Anthropic employees voiced their support for the company’s ethical stance. Trenton Bricken, a member of Anthropic’s technical team, expressed pride in the company’s commitment to its values. Similarly, Gian Segato, a data science manager, remarked on the significance of Anthropic’s founding decisions during this pivotal moment in history.
