US: Pentagon labels AI company Anthropic a supply chain risk

US Pentagon Names Anthropic as Supply Chain Risk

The U.S. Department of Defense has labeled Anthropic, an artificial intelligence firm, as a supply chain risk. This designation, announced by the Trump administration on Thursday, means government contractors must stop utilizing the company’s AI chatbot Claude in military operations. The Pentagon emphasized in a statement that “the company and its products are considered a supply chain risk, effective immediately,” requiring immediate action from affiliated firms.

The decision stems from a prolonged disagreement regarding the safeguards embedded in Claude. These restrictions limit its application in war-gaming situations, prompting the Pentagon to assert that the technology could interfere with operational control. “We do not believe this action is legally sound,” stated CEO Dario Amodei, adding that the company would pursue legal avenues to challenge the move.

Despite the ruling, Amodei clarified that Anthropic’s AI can still be used in non-military projects. The controversy intensified a week prior when President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused the firm of threatening national security. The Pentagon’s stance centers on maintaining technological autonomy, with its statement highlighting the principle of “using technology for all lawful purposes.”

Amodei argued that the specific limitations on Claude’s capabilities—such as those affecting surveillance and autonomous weapons—do not impede operational decisions. “These exceptions relate to high-level usage areas,” he explained, contrasting them with direct control over battlefield functions. The dispute, which has persisted for months, underscores tensions between innovation and security concerns in military technology adoption.

A video illustrating the issue is available, though it requires JavaScript and an HTML5-compatible browser to play. The Pentagon’s move reflects broader efforts to ensure vendors do not influence command structures through restrictive technological protocols, emphasizing the need to protect warfighters from potential risks.

“This has been about one fundamental principle: the military being able to use technology for all lawful purposes,” said Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael. “The military will not allow a vendor to insert itself into the chain of command by restricting the lawful use of a critical capability.”