The US Pentagon has informed its senior leaders that use of Anthropic's AI tools could continue beyond the earlier planned six-month phase-out if they are critical to national security, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
The memo, dated March 6 and signed by Pentagon Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies, stated that exemptions can be granted only in “rare and extraordinary circumstances.”
They will apply solely to mission-critical activities directly supporting national security operations, in cases where no alternative solutions exist. Any Pentagon unit seeking an exemption is required to submit a detailed risk mitigation plan, the memo said.
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What Experts Say
On the development, an expert told Reuters that the memo is a "recognition of the fact that it's really hard for most vendors to certify that they have removed the company from the entirety of their supply chain.”
Franklin Turner, a government contracts lawyer at McCarter & English, further added that contractors may find it difficult to ensure their software is free of any open-source code originating from Anthropic.
“I do expect to see a flurry of waiver requests,” he added.
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Anthropic-Pentagon Conflict
The latest memo by the Pentagon follows a weeks-long dispute over military use of Anthropic's AI tools. The incident led to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth calling the company a "supply chain risk" and banning its use by the Pentagon and its contractors.
In response, Anthropic filed a lawsuit on Monday to block the ban, saying it was unlawful and violated its free speech and due process rights. The company has asked a California court to reverse the decision and prevent federal agencies from enforcing it. Despite the legal action, Anthropic has said that it remains open to negotiations.
The Reuters report added that the memo also instructed officials to prioritise removing Anthropic's products from systems supporting critical missions. These include nuclear weapons and ballistic missile defence. Pentagon contracting officers have been given 30 days to notify contractors, who must then confirm full compliance with the ban within 180 days, the report added.
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