President Donald Trump on Friday ordered all US federal agencies to phase out their use of AI technology from the firm Anthropic. The move follows a public dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon.
Trump's directive came during an approaching deadline from the Pentagon to Anthropic urging the firm to allow unrestricted military use of its AI technology or face consequences.
In the back and forth with the US government, Anthropic had sought guarantees that its AI would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or for mass domestic surveillance. The Pentagon has claimed to have no interest in such use of the technology.
CEO Dario Amodei responded to the ultimatum by saying his company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Defense Department's demands.
Democrats have criticized the Trump administration's handling of the matter. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the move "raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations."
Anthropic currently has a $200 million (€169 million) contract with the defense department.
In the back and forth with the US government, Anthropic had sought guarantees that its AI would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or for mass domestic surveillance. The Pentagon has claimed to have no interest in such use of the technology.
CEO Dario Amodei responded to the ultimatum by saying his company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Defense Department's demands.
Democrats have criticized the Trump administration's handling of the matter. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the move "raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations."
Anthropic currently has a $200 million (€169 million) contract with the defense department.
In the back and forth with the US government, Anthropic had sought guarantees that its AI would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or for mass domestic surveillance. The Pentagon has claimed to have no interest in such use of the technology.
CEO Dario Amodei responded to the ultimatum by saying his company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Defense Department's demands.
Democrats have criticized the Trump administration's handling of the matter. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the move "raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations."
Anthropic currently has a $200 million (€169 million) contract with the defense department.
Trump vows to use 'full power of the presidency'
The Trump administration is providing for a six-month period for the Department of Defense and other agencies to phase out Anthropic's products.
"I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The president also threatened to use "the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow" if Anthropic did not help in the phaseout period.
Courtesy: DW
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
