Pentagon strikes deals with 7 Big Tech companies after shunning Anthropic (www.cnn.com)

The Pentagon has announced agreements with seven major tech companies, including SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services, and Reflection, to utilize their AI tools in classified networks. Notably absent from this list is Anthropic, which has faced blacklisting by the Trump administration due to its demands for safety measures related to the use of AI in military operations. The exclusion of Anthropic, which had been the sole AI model on the Pentagon's classified network, underscores the changing dynamics in defense-related tech contracting. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it could reshape the landscape of AI applications in military contexts, positioning the Pentagon as an "AI-first fighting force" and enhancing its decision-making capabilities across various warfare domains. The agreements come at a time when tech companies are vying for a slice of substantial funding set aside for AI and cyber operations. Furthermore, Anthropic's recent breakthroughs and ongoing dialogue with the White House signal that its presence in defense AI may not be entirely sidelined, particularly in light of its new cybersecurity tool, Mythos, which presents both protective measures and potential vulnerabilities.