Pentagon signs AI deals with tech giants, excludes Anthropic

The Pentagon signed AI deals with Nvidia, Microsoft, AWS, SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, and Reflection AI for top-secret networks, excluding Anthropic, to build an “AI-first” force and avoid vendor lock-in.

The Pentagon has entered into artificial intelligence agreements with seven major technology companies: Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, and Reflection AI. These contracts authorize the deployment of advanced AI models on the U.S. military’s most secure classified networks, specifically at Impact Levels 6 and 7, which support secret and top-secret workloads. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish an “AI-first” military force while avoiding vendor lock-in by engaging multiple providers, including both closed and open-source solutions. Notably, Anthropic was excluded from these contracts due to a prior supply-chain risk designation, despite reported preferences among military personnel for its technology. The Pentagon’s GenAI.mil platform, leveraging these AI advancements, has already attracted over 1.3 million users within five months. The announcement also marks the first official Pentagon confirmation of a deal with Google, while Amazon Web Services finalized its agreement shortly before the announcement. This move is seen as a significant step in integrating advanced AI into classified military operations and strengthening the strategic positions of the participating tech firms.