Defense Secretary summons Anthropic’s Amodei over military use of Claude | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Rebecca Bellan

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to the Pentagon to address concerns over the military's use of Claude AI. The meeting follows reports that the Department of Defense (DOD) is considering designating Anthropic a "supply chain risk," a label typically reserved for foreign adversaries, due to the company's refusal to allow its technology to be used for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons development. This decision comes after a $200 million contract was signed with DOD last summer, during which Claude AI was reportedly utilized in a high-profile special operations raid involving Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Hegseth is reported to have given Amodei an ultimatum: comply with the military's demands or face being banned from working with Pentagon partners entirely. The situation highlights growing tensions between the defense establishment and AI developers over ethical and operational boundaries. Anthropic, known for its cautious approach to AI deployment, has consistently opposed the use of its technology in ways that could infringe on human rights or lead to unintended consequences. The potential supply chain risk designation would void Anthropic's contract with DOD and force other Pentagon partners to discontinue their use of Claude AI. This move is significant as it could set a precedent for how government agencies regulate AI technologies developed by private companies. The stakes are high for both sides. Replacing Anthropic with another provider would be logistically challenging, given the complexity of AI systems and the reliance on specific tools like Claude. For Anthropic, losing military contracts could damage its reputation and business prospects, especially as other clients may question the long-term stability of their relationship with Pentagon partners. The broader implications of this decision extend beyond the tech industry, with potential impacts on international relations, AI regulation, and the future of defense technology. This confrontation underscores the ethical dilemmas surrounding the military use of advanced AI systems. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into national security strategies, questions about accountability, oversight, and the responsible deployment of such technologies become more critical. The outcome of this meeting could shape how government agencies interact with tech companies in the development and deployment of AI tools, setting a precedent for future collaborations

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/23/2026