Pentagon ceases use of Anthropic AI tools after national security designation

• The U.S. Department of Defense has ceased using Anthropic's AI products.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a national security supply chain risk in February.
• The Pentagon was instructed to stop using Anthropic's tools by late August.
• Despite the directive, Anthropic's Claude model was reportedly still used for research, analysis, and intelligence gathering until recently.
• Anthropic's tools were integrated into the Pentagon's Maven Smart System, a data platform operated by Palantir.
• Anthropic refused the Pentagon's request to remove safety guardrails from Claude.

The U.S. Department of Defense has officially stopped using artificial intelligence tools developed by Anthropic, according to a statement from a department official to the BBC. This action comes months after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth designated the AI company a national security supply chain risk in February, with a directive to cease usage by late August.

Despite the Pentagon's order, multiple sources familiar with the matter told the BBC that Anthropic's Claude model was still being utilized as recently as the previous week. These individuals, including former U.S. defense officials and contractors, described Claude as a critical tool for processing large volumes of information for research, analysis, intelligence gathering, and even military operations.

Anthropic's tools had been employed by the U.S. government and military since 2024, marking the first instance of an advanced AI company's products being deployed for classified work within government agencies. However, earlier this year, the Pentagon reportedly pressed Anthropic to remove safety guardrails from Claude to allow for unfettered military access. Anthropic's refusal, citing concerns over mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, led to Hegseth's designation of the company as a "national security supply-chain risk."

The Pentagon's statement confirming the cessation of Anthropic's products follows reports that Claude was deeply integrated into the Maven Smart System, the Pentagon's primary platform for organizing intelligence and data, operated by Palantir. Experts noted that such deep integration would make rapid removal challenging. The Pentagon has since entered into contracts with other major technology firms, including Google, xAI, and OpenAI, with OpenAI tools seeing increased adoption in some military departments.

In parallel to these developments, relations between Anthropic and the White House appear to be improving. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with President Donald Trump twice at the White House last week. Following one meeting, Amodei expressed ongoing concerns about AI risks but stated that collaboration with the president could ensure safety, a sentiment echoed by Trump's praise for Amodei.