Google and the Pentagon sign classified deal to give the Department of Defense unfettered access to its AI models
Google has signed a classified agreement granting the US Department of Defense broad access to its AI models for 'any lawful government purpose,' according to a report by The Information. While Google states it opposes using AI for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human oversight, the deal reportedly gives the company no veto power over how the Pentagon uses the technology. The move follows similar classified AI deals between the US government and companies like OpenAI and xAI, while Anthropic was blacklisted after refusing to remove safeguards. Hundreds of Google employees have protested the deal, warning of potential misuse of AI in harmful or inhumane ways.
- ▪The classified agreement allows the Department of Defense to use Google's AI models for any lawful government purpose without Google having veto power over its applications.
- ▪Google claims it supports national security through responsible AI access but opposes use in mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human oversight.
- ▪Approximately 600 Google employees signed an open letter urging CEO Sundar Pichai to halt the Pentagon deal over ethical concerns.
- ▪Anthropic was blacklisted from federal AI contracts after refusing government demands to remove safeguards on weapon and surveillance uses.
- ▪OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI have also entered into classified AI agreements with the US government.
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