OpenAI secures Pentagon contract as Trump administration reshapes AI policy landscape. CEO Sam Altman announced a deal with the Department of Defense to deploy AI models on classified networks, hours after rival Anthropic was designated a national security risk and banned from federal use. The dramatic shift highlights growing political divisions over AI safety standards. OpenAI negotiated restrictions on autonomous weapons and domestic mass surveillance, which the DoD accepted. Anthropic faced rejection after refusing similar terms, creating a stark contrast in how the administration treats competing AI firms. This development signals potential consolidation in defense AI contracts and raises questions about whether safety-focused approaches will be sidelined in favor of broader military applications.
