On May 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense announced agreements with six leading artificial intelligence companies to expand classified work. However, Anthropic, previously a key contractor for defense AI projects, was notably excluded from the partnership, sparking widespread attention and debate.

The Partnership Lineup

According to Reuters and The New York Times, the six AI companies signing the agreements include OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and one unnamed company. These firms will provide the Pentagon with advanced AI technologies for highly sensitive defense missions, including intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and strategic planning.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the U.S. military’s integration of AI technology. In recent years, the Pentagon has been seeking to leverage AI to enhance its operational capabilities and decision-making efficiency, but progress had been relatively slow until now.

Why Was Anthropic Excluded?

Anthropic’s absence is the most striking aspect of this agreement. Previously, Anthropic had been an important partner in U.S. government AI initiatives, but the White House recently raised questions about Anthropic’s security protocols. According to The Rundown AI, the White House is reassessing its relationship with Anthropic, citing concerns about inadequacies in its security procedures.

Analysts suggest that Anthropic’s exclusion may be related to its stance on corporate governance and security reviews. Anthropic has previously expressed strong concerns about AI safety and refused certain contracts that could involve military applications, which may have contributed to losing its place in this Pentagon collaboration.

Industry Impact

This agreement has far-reaching implications for the AI industry. First, it signals that cooperation between the U.S. military and AI companies is accelerating, which may prompt similar moves from other nations. Second, Anthropic’s exclusion could negatively affect its commercial prospects, particularly in the government contracts sector.

As the Washington Examiner noted, this agreement reflects a strategic shift by the U.S. government in the AI domain — prioritizing companies willing to cooperate deeply on security and defense matters. This may also prompt other AI companies to reassess their relationships with the U.S. government.

Reactions

Responses to the agreement have been mixed. Supporters view it as an important step in enhancing U.S. defense capabilities, while critics worry about the ethical and security risks of AI applications in the military sphere.

Anthropic has not yet issued a public statement on the matter, but the company has previously emphasized that its top priority is ensuring the safe and responsible use of AI technology.

Source: Reuters | The New York Times | Washington Examiner

Google has reportedly agreed to a new partnership with the Pentagon that would allow the U.S. military to use Google’s AI technologies for “any lawful” purposes in classified settings. The deal has sparked fierce internal opposition, with over 600 Google employees signing a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai demanding the company reject the classified AI project.

According to an exclusive report by The Verge, Google and the Pentagon have reached a new agreement allowing the U.S. military to use Google’s AI tools in classified environments, with authorization covering “any lawful” (any lawful) use cases. This marks Google’s most significant step into military AI cooperation since the 2018 Project Maven controversy.

Core Agreement Details

Under the agreement, the Pentagon can use Google’s AI technology in the following scenarios:

• Intelligence Analysis: Leveraging AI to process and analyze massive intelligence datasets
• Target Identification: Assisting in military target recognition and classification
• Situational Awareness: Enhancing battlefield situational awareness capabilities
• Cybersecurity: Improving military cyber defense operations

The key breakthrough of the agreement lies in its broad authorization scope — the “any lawful” use designation means the Pentagon can tap into Google’s AI capabilities across most military scenarios, no longer limited to specific projects or use cases.

Fierce Internal Opposition at Google

The agreement has triggered a strong backlash within Google. According to multiple reports, over 600 Google employees have signed a joint letter to CEO Sundar Pichai, demanding the company reject the Pentagon’s classified AI project.

Employee concerns center on several key issues:

1. Ethical Risks: AI technology could be used in lethal weapons systems
2. Corporate Culture Conflict: Google had previously publicly committed to “not developing AI for weapons”
3. Talent Retention: Some engineers have indicated they would consider leaving if the company proceeds with military cooperation

Historical Context: From Project Maven to Today

In 2018, Google faced massive employee protests over its participation in the Pentagon’s Project Maven (a drone imagery analysis program) and ultimately chose not to renew the contract, publishing AI ethics principles in the process. However, as the global AI arms race intensifies, Google appears to be reconsidering its military cooperation policies.

In recent years, Microsoft and Amazon have significantly expanded their AI cooperation with the military, and Google’s “lag” in this area may have affected its competitiveness in securing government contracts.

Industry Impact

Google’s new agreement with the Pentagon marks a deepening of the relationship between tech giants and the military. As AI technology increasingly becomes a core national security capability, cooperation between tech companies and defense departments will grow closer, while also sparking more discussion about AI ethics, transparency, and accountability.

Sources: The Verge

April 28, 2026 — Google has officially approved the U.S. Pentagon to use its artificial intelligence platforms for handling classified information, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This decision marks a significant shift in the tech giant’s relationship with the military and has sparked intense internal opposition at Google.

Agreement Details

According to a previously disclosed report by The Information, Google signed a classified agreement with the Pentagon that allows the military to use Google’s AI tools for intelligence analysis and mission planning in highly secure environments. The agreement covers Google’s latest generative AI models and data analysis platforms, which will be used to process highly sensitive national security data.

The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Google has completed the necessary security certification process, bringing its AI infrastructure in line with U.S. Department of Defense standards for classified data processing. This means Pentagon analysts will be able to input and process classified intelligence information — including military operation planning, threat assessment, and target identification — on Google’s cloud-based AI platform.

Internal Backlash

The decision has triggered strong opposition within Google. According to The Washington Post, a large number of Google employees have signed a petition demanding the CEO refuse classified AI collaboration with the military. Employees expressed concerns about AI technology being used for military purposes, arguing that it contradicts Google’s core values.

Google previously faced mass employee protests over its participation in the military’s Maven project, leading the company to commit not to use military AI for weapons systems. This latest classified agreement is viewed as a substantive departure from that commitment.

Industry Implications

Google’s decision could set a precedent for other tech companies collaborating with the military on AI. Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic have already partnered with defense departments to varying degrees. As AI’s role in intelligence analysis and decision support continues to grow, the boundaries between tech companies and military applications are being redefined.

Analysts note that this trend reflects the increasingly strategic role of AI technology in national security, while also highlighting the complex balance tech enterprises face between commercial interests, national security commitments, and employee ethical positions.

Source: WSJ, Reuters, The Information