2 hrs ago
Appeals Court Upholds Pentagon Ban on Anthropic’s AI
Anthropic makes an artificial intelligence system called Claude.
The Pentagon wanted Anthropic to remove some safety rules for using Claude.
These rules covered fully autonomous weapons and mass surveillance of Americans.
Anthropic refused, so the Pentagon labeled the company a supply chain risk.
A federal appeals court voted 2-1 to let the Pentagon keep that label.
This means the military can remove Claude from its systems and limit Anthropic’s defense work.
Anthropic disagrees and may ask for further review.
Another federal court in California had reached a different conclusion about a broader ban.
The disagreement is part of a larger debate about how artificial intelligence should be used by the military.
A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 that the Pentagon may continue designating Anthropic a supply chain risk.
The designation followed Anthropic’s refusal to remove safeguards limiting Claude’s use in autonomous lethal weapons and mass domestic surveillance.
The ruling allows the Defense Department to remove Claude from its systems and restrict Anthropic’s products for defense work.
The Pentagon’s March designation canceled Anthropic’s military contracts and barred other contractors from using its technology.
The decision conflicts with a separate California federal court ruling that found a broader Trump administration ban on Anthropic illegal.
- Who
- Anthropic, the United States Department of Defense, and the federal appeals court.
- What
- The appeals court upheld the Pentagon’s supply chain risk designation against Anthropic.
- Where
- In a United States federal appeals court; a separate related case was decided in California.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Friday; the designation was formally made in March after a dispute that began in February.
- Why
- The Pentagon acted after Anthropic refused to remove safeguards governing Claude’s use in autonomous lethal weapons and mass surveillance.
Anthropic’s Position
Pentagon’s Position
Supply chain risk designation
Anthropic’s Position
Anthropic says the designation is unlawful and is considering further review, citing the separate California ruling against a broader government designation.
Pentagon’s Position
The Pentagon maintains that it can exclude Anthropic under public procurement rules, and the appeals court allowed the designation to remain in effect.
AI safeguards and military use
Anthropic’s Position
Anthropic refused to remove safeguards restricting Claude’s use in fully autonomous lethal weapons and mass surveillance of Americans.
Pentagon’s Position
Defense officials argue that private companies should not be able to insert their preferences into the military chain of command.
Key facts
- Court ruling
- A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 against Anthropic.
- Pentagon designation
- The Defense Department may continue labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk.
- Consequences
- The Pentagon can remove Claude from its systems and restrict Anthropic’s defense products.
- Contracts
- The March designation canceled Anthropic’s military contracts and barred other Pentagon contractors from using its technology.
- Anthropic’s safeguards
- Anthropic refused to remove restrictions on fully autonomous lethal weapons and mass domestic surveillance of Americans.
- Conflicting case
- A California federal court recently found a broader Trump administration ban against Anthropic illegal.
- Other AI companies
- OpenAI, xAI, Google, and Microsoft signed agreements with the Pentagon at different times.
Quotes
Emil Michael
Under Secretary of Defense who commented on the appeals court ruling
“Warfighters will sleep better knowing that no private company will insert their opinions in the chain of command.”
NDTV
“The hammer of justice has smashed Anthropic arguments。”
NDTV
Anthropic spokesperson
An Anthropic representative responding to US media
“We respectfully disagree with the court's decision. Another federal court has already held the government's parallel designation unlawful. We remain confident in our position and are considering all options, including further review,”
NDTV
Sources
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