- Industry organizations believe the conflict between Anthropic and the US government poses a threat to the country’s technology industry.
- The dispute arose from Anthropic’s refusal to allow the use of AI for surveillance and autonomous weapons.
- Amid the conflict, OpenAI signed its own contract with the Pentagon.
American technology associations have called on President Donald Trump to reverse the decision to classify Anthropic as a threat to the supply chain. Experts believe that such a move could negatively impact the entire high-tech sector in the US and undermine the country’s aspirations for leadership in innovation.
This is reported by Finway
In an open letter signed by representatives of the TechNet and Computer & Communications Industry Association organizations, which represent hundreds of leading companies including Google, Apple, NVIDIA, and Advanced Micro Devices, it was noted that the restrictions against Anthropic threaten the stability of supplies and the development of the industry.
Reasons for the Escalation Between Anthropic and the Pentagon
The escalation of the conflict arose from the failure of negotiations between Anthropic and the Pentagon regarding a new contract. The company insisted on two key restrictions: a ban on using its AI models for mass surveillance of citizens and their use in fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic’s refusal to sign the contract without these conditions prompted a reaction from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who expressed his intention to declare the company a “risk to the supply chain.” This status is typically applied to companies that pose a threat to national security and can lead to the termination of contracts with government contractors.
On February 27, 2026, the Trump administration issued an order to federal agencies to cease the use of Anthropic technologies, allowing a six-month transition period. In response, the company announced its intention to challenge this decision in court. Meanwhile, industry sources reported that on March 3, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei resumed negotiations with the Pentagon, seeking a compromise on the terms of cooperation.
OpenAI Signs Contract with the Pentagon Amid Dispute
While Anthropic attempts to negotiate with the government, its main competitor OpenAI has signed an agreement with the US Department of Defense. OpenAI’s software products, including ChatGPT, will be implemented in the department’s secure environments. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that the signing of the contract occurred under tight deadlines and faced some criticism from the industry. At the same time, the company claims that the document contains similar restrictions regarding mass surveillance and autonomous weapons.
Moreover, representatives of the organizations stated that such a decision could undermine Washington’s efforts to strengthen technological leadership.
Technology associations warn that Anthropic’s status as a threat to the supply chain could create a dangerous precedent for the entire industry. This could lead to uncertainty for companies working with government entities and, as a result, limit military access to advanced artificial intelligence solutions.