Congress–Not The Pentagon or Anthropic–Should Set Military AI Rules (www.lawfaremedia.org)

The ongoing conflict between the U.S. Department of Defense and AI startup Anthropic highlights significant concerns over military AI regulations. The Pentagon considers designating Anthropic as a "supply chain risk" due to the company’s refusal to allow military applications of its AI technology that involve mass surveillance of Americans or fully autonomous weaponry. This designation could severely limit Anthropic's ability to engage in government contracts, a move typically reserved for foreign adversaries. Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei emphasizes that these ethical boundaries are essential for ensuring AI's role in national defense aligns with democratic values, rather than mirroring authoritarian practices. This situation underscores a larger issue: the authority over military AI development should not be dictated by private companies or executive negotiations without public accountability. The article argues that Congress must take charge of establishing clear, democratic guidelines that govern military AI applications, preventing ad hoc agreements that could shift with different administrations. Current procurement laws allow Congress to regulate the purchase and use of military technology, suggesting it has both the responsibility and framework needed to ensure AI is deployed ethically and transparently. The resolution of the Anthropic-Pentagon dispute is imminent, but without legislative action, the potential for unchecked military applications of AI remains a pressing concern for the AI/ML community.