What to know about the clash between the Pentagon and Anthropic over military’s AI use

A high-stakes dispute over military use of artificial intelligence erupted into public view this week as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brusquely terminated the Pentagon’s work with Anthropic and other government agencies, using a law designed to counter foreign supply chain threats to slap a scarlet letter on a U.S. company.

President Donald Trump and Hegseth accused rising AI star Anthropic of endangering national security after its CEO Dario Amodei refused to back down over concerns the company’s products could be used for mass surveillance or autonomous armed drones.