Pentagon gives ultimatum to Anthropic over AI curbs — report
Deutsche Welle
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The US Department of Defense has issued an ultimatum to AI company Anthropic, demanding that it allow its technology to be used for unrestricted military applications by Friday or face significant consequences. The Pentagon’s ultimatum comes after months of negotiations between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, which broke down over concerns about the ethical implications of Anthropic's AI being used for domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons systems. If Anthropic refuses to comply by Friday at 5 pm ET, the Pentagon could designate the company as a supply-chain risk or force compliance under the Defense Production Act, which grants the federal government broad powers to prioritize national security.
The standoff began when Anthropic refused to permit its Claude AI models for domestic surveillance and autonomous targeting systems, citing ethical concerns. Despite cordial discussions during the meeting, Anthropic remained firm on its stance, emphasizing responsible use of AI. The Pentagon’s demand highlights the growing tension between military interests in advancing AI capabilities and the need for ethical regulation.
The US military has been actively negotiating with major AI providers, including Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and Elon Musk's xAI, to integrate AI into national security efforts. These contracts, valued up to $200 million each, underscore the Pentagon’s push to dominate AI technology in warfare.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/25/2026