The US military used AI to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Anthropic was the first AI model developer to be used by the Pentagon for covert operations. The military’s use of artificial intelligence is widely seen as a major credibility boost for AI companies.
Although Anthropic’s guidelines clearly state that it should not be used to incite violence, develop weapons, or conduct surveillance, it was nevertheless used in this operation. It is noteworthy that Maduro and his wife were arrested in Caracas. This operation was carried out after bombings at several locations.
An Anthropic spokesperson stated that “any use of the cloud, whether in the private sector or by the government, must be in accordance with our policies. Our policies are clear on how the cloud can be used.” We work closely with our partners to ensure compliance.
The cloud was deployed because Palantir Technologies, a data company that provides equipment used by the Pentagon, has a partnership with Anthropic. According to a Wall Street Journal report, US officials may make a major decision after Anthropic raised concerns about cloud use. Following Anthropic’s statement, US officials are considering cancelling contracts worth up to $200 million. Anthropic’s Chief Executive, Dario Amodei, stated that the use of AI must comply strictly with regulations to prevent harm.
Statements issued by Anthropic officials have hampered the contract with the Pentagon. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in January that the Pentagon would not collaborate with AI models that do not allow for warfighting. According to the report, he made this statement, citing discussions with Anthropic. Anthropic signed a $200 million deal last summer.
Several AI companies are developing custom tools for the US military. Many of these are available on unclassified networks, typically used for military administration. Anthropic is the only company available in classified settings through a third party. However, the government remains subject to the company’s user policy.
