The Pentagon announced agreements with seven major technology firms (OpenAI, Alphabet, Nvidia, SpaceX, Microsoft, Amazon, and Reflection) to integrate their artificial intelligence tools into classified military networks for “lawful operational use”. These deals aim to “accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force,” according to the Defense Department. The AI capabilities will be deployed to streamline data analysis, “elevate situational understanding and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments”.
This initiative comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has committed to transforming the U.S. military into an “AI-first warfighting force”. The agreements follow a significant conflict between the Trump administration and Anthropic, an AI company that turned down a Pentagon request for unrestricted access to its models. Anthropic stated it took issue with alleged requests to use its technology for mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons, prompting the company to work toward “a smooth transition to another provider”.
President Donald Trump subsequently ordered federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology, and Hegseth designated the company as a supply chain risk to national security. Anthropic filed a lawsuit in March against the Trump administration, accusing it of an “unlawful campaign of retaliation,” though a federal appeals court denied the company’s request to temporarily block the Pentagon’s blacklisting. Despite tensions, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark revealed the company was still communicating with the federal government regarding its new Claude Mythos AI model, which the company claims is capable of exploiting security flaws in “every major operating system and web browser” and considers too dangerous for public release.
OpenAI’s initial agreement with the Pentagon was later modified to prevent its tools from being used for domestic surveillance of American citizens following public criticism. Similarly, Google’s Gemini AI systems deal faced internal resistance, with approximately 600 Google employees sending a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai requesting rejection of future Pentagon AI partnerships.
Reference
Roush, T. (2026, May 1). OpenAI, Nvidia, Alphabet and more sign AI deal with Pentagon for classified military use. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2026/05/01/openai-nvidia-alphabet-and-more-sign-ai-deal-with-pentagon-for-classified-military-use/