Pentagon stops using Anthropic's AI tools, months after declaring it a supply chain risk

The US defence ministry has stopped using Anthropic's AI tools, months after labelling the company a supply chain risk on national security grounds.A department official told the BBC that the Pentagon "has ceased the use of Anthropic products."Defence secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a supply chain risk in February and announced that the Pentagon would phase out its use by late August.However, several people familiar with the matter told the BBC that, as recently as last week, the department was still using Anthropic's Claude model for research, analysis and intelligence gathering, as well as in military operations against Iran.These sources, who include former US defence officials and contractors who have worked closely with the Pentagon on AI, said the tool was regarded as critical for sorting through vast quantities of information.Anthropic spokesman declined to comment on the Pentagon's statement. BBC reported.It is unclear why the department has ended its use of the tools now, and the full severing of ties has not been reported before.The US government and military had used Anthropic since 2024, and it was the first advanced AI company to have its tools deployed in government agencies handling classified work. Earlier this year, however, the Pentagon pressed the company to remove Claude's safety guardrails and grant the military unrestricted access to its AI tools. Anthropic refused, citing concerns about mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. In response, Hegseth designated it a "national security supply-chain risk," a legal measure typically reserved for companies that pose a threat to the US.Anthropic called the move "unprecedented and unlawful" and has sued the Trump administration to overturn the designation.While the case has proceeded through the courts, the Pentagon has signed contracts with other major tech companies, including Google and OpenAI. According to two people familiar with AI use in the department, OpenAI's tools have been adopted more widely in some military departments in recent months.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.