The Pentagon on Friday announced agreements with seven major artificial intelligence companies to expand the use of advanced AI systems across classified US military networks, as the Department of Defense
accelerates efforts to integrate AI into national security operations.
The companies selected include SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection AI, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services.
According to the Pentagon, the companies’ technologies will be integrated into the military’s highly secure Impact Levels 6 and 7 network environments, allowing broader access to advanced AI tools for defence personnel handling classified work.
Also Read: Microsoft Ends Exclusive Access To OpenAI AI Models, Opens Door To Amazon, Google
The announcement notably excluded Anthropic, which has reportedly been involved in a dispute with the Pentagon over restrictions and safeguards related to military use of its AI systems.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon designated Anthropic as a “supply-chain risk”, effectively barring the company’s tools from use by the Department of Defense and its contractors, despite the firm’s AI products already being widely used across parts of the military ecosystem.
The Pentagon also revealed that its internal AI platform, GenAI.mil, has been accessed by more than 1.3 million Department of Defense personnel within just five months of operation, underscoring the growing role of artificial intelligence in military and administrative functions.
A source told Reuters earlier this week that Google had separately signed an agreement allowing the Defense Department to use its AI models for classified operations.
Meanwhile, Defense Department Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael told CNBC that Anthropic continues to be viewed as a supply-chain concern. However, he said the company’s controversial AI model “Mythos” — known for its advanced cyber capabilities — represents a “separate national security moment.”
The model has reportedly sparked concern among US officials and corporate leaders because of fears it could significantly enhance hacking capabilities.
Last week, US President Donald Trump suggested that Anthropic’s relationship with the administration may be improving, saying the company was “shaping up” in the eyes of the government, potentially opening the door for its future reinstatement within Pentagon systems.
