Google Grants the U.S. Department of Defense Broad AI Access

Google has allowed the U.S. Department of Defense to use its AI broadly on classified networks. According to multiple reports, this contract covers the full range of lawful uses.

This decision follows Anthropic's refusal of the same terms. Anthropic had demanded guardrails preventing domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons use, and the Department of Defense cited this in designating the company a supply-chain risk. The two parties are currently in litigation, and last month a court temporarily suspended the effect of that designation.

Since then, more AI companies have signed contracts with the Department of Defense. OpenAI joined first, followed by xAI. Google's contract language also includes language stating it does not want domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons use, but WSJ reported that the legal binding force and enforceability of such clauses remain unclear.

Meanwhile, inside Google, an open letter signed by 950 employees has emerged, demanding that the company not sell AI to the Department of Defense without the same guardrails as Anthropic. Google has not issued a separate statement in response.