Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei gets summoned from Pentagon for 'not a friendly meeting'
Times of India
by TOI TECH DESKFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has been summoned to the Pentagon for a high-stakes meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signaling a potential breakdown in negotiations over the use of Anthropic's AI model, Claude, in military systems. The meeting is described as anything but friendly, with both sides at an impasse. Anthropic has refused to fully lift safeguards on Claude, which is currently the only AI model used for sensitive defense and intelligence work by the military. While the Pentagon demands unrestricted access, Anthropic insists on maintaining limitations to prevent mass surveillance of Americans and autonomous weapons systems.
The conflict escalated after reports surfaced about Claude's involvement in a recent raid targeting Venezuela’s ex-president, Nicolas Maduro. This incident has added tension to an already strained relationship between the Pentagon and Anthropic. Defense officials are considering declaring Anthropic a "supply chain risk," which could lead to losing Pentagon contracts and force other companies to certify they are not using Claude. The Pentagon is also exploring other tools to pressure Anthropic into compliance, including an ultimatum from Hegseth during the meeting.
Amodei has positioned Anthropic as a safety-focused company, emphasizing its commitment to preventing harmful AI applications. However, Pentagon officials view this stance as ideological and at odds with their goals of expanding AI's role in national security. The clash highlights broader concerns about the ethical use of AI in surveillance and weapons systems, raising questions about whether current U.S. laws are sufficient to regulate these technologies.
This dispute underscores the growing tension between Silicon Valley and government institutions over control and regulation of emerging technologies. As AI becomes increasingly integral to military operations, the outcome of this meeting could set a precedent for how future collaborations between tech companies and the Pentagon are managed. The stakes are high not just for Anthropic and the Pentagon but for the broader debate on AI governance and its implications for global security.
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/23/2026