Anthropic Battles DoD Over Military AI Limits as Models Power 95% of War Simulations

Anthropic’s revised Responsible Scaling Policy, announced Tuesday, removes the clause that barred the release of models without proven risk mitigations, according to a TIME report. The change softens the firm’s flagship safety pledge that it had championed since 2023.

The Pentagon’s push for broader military access came after Reuters disclosed a clash over safeguards that would prevent autonomous weapon targeting, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s offer to the company, as reported by The Register. Sources said the DoD wants Anthropic to lift restrictions that currently limit Claude’s use in weaponized scenarios.

Data from Decrypt shows that AI models from OpenAI, Google and Anthropic were employed in 95 % of recent war‑game simulations, including nuclear strike scenarios. The prevalence of these models underscores the strategic value the military places on generative AI.

Engadget noted that Anthropic’s policy shift coincided with the Pentagon pressure campaign, describing the move as trading “hard lines in the sand for flexible gray areas.” The timing suggests the company is recalibrating its stance to retain a potential defense contract.

Wired’s analysis highlighted Anthropic’s historical aversion to autonomous weapons and surveillance, warning that the policy rollback could jeopardize its reputation as a safety‑first AI lab. The firm now faces a dilemma: preserve its safety brand or accommodate a lucrative government partnership.