8 AI firms cleared to provide tools for classified Pentagon networks
Eight leading AI developers have deals to install tools in classified Defense Department networks, a wide spread meant to prevent "vendor lock," Pentagon officials said Friday.
Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Reflection, Oracle and SpaceX are cleared for Impact Level 6 and Impact Level 7 network environments, part of a bid to streamline data synthesis, improve warfighter decision-making, and increase situational understanding and awareness.
“Together, the War Department and these strategic partners share the conviction that American leadership in AI is indispensable to national security,” a press release said. “This leadership depends on a thriving domestic ecosystem of capable model developers that enable the full and effective use of their capabilities in support of Department missions. As mandated by President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Pete] Hegseth, the Department will continue to envelop our warfighters with advanced AI to meet the unprecedented emerging threats of tomorrow and to strengthen our Arsenal of Freedom.”
The new AI tools will be available via GenAI.mil, the Pentagon’s central AI platform. In late April, Google rolled out its Gemini 3.1 Pro model on the platform.
The announcement follows tensions that exploded in late February between the Pentagon and Anthropic after the AI company refused to allow its products to be used for autonomous weapons and surveillance of Americans. The Pentagon subsequently designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk and Trump ordered federal agencies to begin offloading use of its products, though a judge has issued an injunction on those actions.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the addition of Oracle in the Department of Defense press release.
The U.S. Department of Defense has cleared eight AI firms, including Amazon and Google, to install tools in classified networks to enhance national security. This initiative aims to prevent vendor lock and improve decision-making for warfighters. The AI tools will be accessible through the Pentagon's GenAI.mil platform, following previous tensions with Anthropic regarding the use of AI in military applications.
- Eight AI firms, including Amazon and Google, are cleared for classified networks.
- The initiative aims to prevent vendor lock and enhance decision-making.
- The tools will be available via the Pentagon's GenAI.mil platform.
- The announcement follows tensions with Anthropic over autonomous weapons.
- The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen U.S. national security.