On February 2, 2026, President Trump directed federal agencies to cease using AI company Anthropic’s products, labeling the company a national security risk. This escalation follows Anthropic’s refusal to allow its AI tools to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons under a $200 million Pentagon contract. Trump criticized Anthropic’s stance, asserting they were attempting to dictate military operations, and announced a six-month phase-out period for their technology. Following this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the ban, emphasizing that the Pentagon requires unrestricted access to AI for lawful military purposes. Despite the turmoil, Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei maintained the company’s position against military applications that compromise safety and morality. This situation reflects ongoing tensions between tech companies and government regarding the ethical use of emerging AI technologies, spotlighting how firms navigate contracts while safeguarding their values. The conflict raises crucial issues for AI’s role in defense and national security.
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