Pentagon strikes classified AI deals with OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia — but not Anthropic

The Verge / 5/1/2026

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Key Points

  • The Pentagon announced deals with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, xAI, and the startup Reflection to use their AI tools on classified networks.
  • The Defense Department excluded Anthropic, citing it as a supply-chain risk after previously using the company for classified information.
  • The new move builds on earlier Pentagon agreements that allowed “lawful” use of AI systems from OpenAI and xAI, with reports indicating similar arrangements for Google.
  • The development signals tighter procurement and risk-management controls around AI vendors for national-security workloads.
A photo of Pete Hegseth

The Pentagon has struck deals with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Elon Musk's xAI, and the startup Reflection, allowing the agency to use their AI tools in classified settings, according to an announcement on Friday. At the same time, the Defense Department has left out Anthropic - which it previously used for classified information - after declaring it a supply-chain risk.

This builds upon deals with OpenAI and xAI, which have already reached agreements with the Pentagon for the "lawful" use of their AI systems. A report from The Information suggests Google has struck a similar agreement. As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Mi …

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