Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI-Getty Images

OpenAI has secured a contract with the Pentagon to incorporate its artificial intelligence models into classified military systems, according to an announcement by CEO Sam Altman. The news comes as tensions between the federal government and competing AI company Anthropic escalate.

The contract was announced on the same day that President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using the AI services of Anthropic. This was followed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s declaration that Anthropic was a “supply chain risk,” a designation usually reserved for organizations that pose potential security risks. This action came after reported disputes between Anthropic and the Defense Department over limitations related to autonomous weapons systems and surveillance use.

Altman said that the agreement between OpenAI and the Pentagon contains similar provisions to those sought by Anthropic. He emphasized that OpenAI adheres to “strict safety guidelines,” which include a ban on mass surveillance in the United States and a requirement for “meaningful human oversight” in decisions related to the use of force, especially in autonomous weapons systems.

He also pointed out that OpenAI will employ technical measures in its models to guarantee that it stays within the agreed parameters. The company will also assign engineers to collaborate with defense officials to monitor the process and ensure that it stays within safe operational parameters.

Altman stated that OpenAI has encouraged the Defense Department to offer similar contractual terms to other AI companies, since industry-wide safety standards would be mutually beneficial. He also stated that the company would rather negotiate contractual terms than engage in escalating regulatory and legal battles.

Anthropic, on the other hand, has indicated that it will contest the supply chain designation in court. This would be a major blow to the company’s ability to collaborate with defense contractors, since they would have to prove that their military projects do not use Anthropic technology.

There has been no clear information on the nature of the differences between the terms of the agreement that OpenAI has signed and the terms that Anthropic had proposed. However, high-ranking defense officials have welcomed OpenAI’s involvement. Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael stated that the partnership is essential in matters of national security, since it is important to have a reliable partnership as the military becomes more i