Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Reflection AI signed agreements giving the Pentagon use of their AI technologies for “lawful operational use” on classified military networks, the Defense Department said. [1]
The Pentagon said the agreements will accelerate its push to become an “AI-first fighting force.” [1]
The four companies join xAI, OpenAI and Google in signing similar deals with the Defense Department. That leaves Anthropic as the only major U.S.-based AI provider without a working agreement with the Pentagon, according to the report. [1]
The report said the Trump administration later ordered federal agencies to stop using Claude and other Anthropic products within 6 months after Anthropic refused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s demands on safeguards. It said Hegseth had earlier threatened in February to label Anthropic a supply chain risk unless the company withdrew those safeguards. [1]
Engadget also reported that Sensor Tower data showed ChatGPT uninstalls jumped 413% year over year in February after OpenAI signed its Defense Department deal. [1]
The Pentagon’s widening roster of AI suppliers now includes 4 companies in the latest round and extends to firms that already had similar agreements with the department. [1]