ToplineThe Pentagon on Friday announced agreements with seven tech firms, including OpenAI, Alphabet and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to use their AI tools on classified military networks, following a fallout between the Trump administration and Anthropic. The agreements “accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force,” the Pentagon said.Getty ImagesKey FactsThe Pentagon announced agreements with OpenAI, Alphabet, Nvidia, SpaceX, Microsoft, Amazon and Reflection for their AI tools to be used on the agency’s classified networks for “lawful operational use.”The companies’ AI capabilities will be integrated into the Pentagon’s networks to streamline data analysis, “elevate situational understanding and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments,” according to the agency.The deals will “accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force,” the Pentagon said.Anthropic’s Feud With The Trump AdministrationAnthropic and Pentagon officials entered a contract dispute in February, during which Anthropic said it turned down a request from the Defense Department for unrestricted access to its AI models. The company responded in a statement that it would “work to enable a smooth transition to another provider” if the Pentagon moves on from it, adding it took issue with the department’s alleged request to use its technology for mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. Following the dispute, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he would designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk to national security shortly after President Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using technology from the company. Anthropic sued the Trump administration in March over the ban, accusing the government of an “unlawful campaign of retaliation.” A federal appeals court denied Anthropic’s request to temporarily block the Pentagon’s move earlier this month. Emil Michael, the Defense Department’s tech chief, told CNBC on Friday that Anthropic is still blacklisted.TangentDespite a conflict between Anthropic and the Trump administration, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark said earlier this month the company was speaking with federal government about its new AI model Claude Mythos. Anthropic has claimed that Mythos is capable of exploiting security flaws in “every major operating system and web browser” and has warned that it is too dangerous to release to the public. Michael said Mythos is an “issue that’s being dealt with government-wide,” calling the model a “separate national security moment.”Key BackgroundHegseth has vowed to adopt artificial intelligence into the U.S military to transform it into an “AI-first warfighting force,” leading to deals with several top AI firms. OpenAI signed a deal with the Pentagon shortly after Anthropic was labeled a national security threat. Still, that agreement was later tweaked to prevent OpenAI’s tools from being used for domestic surveillance of American citizens and nationals, following public pushback. Google’s deal was reached earlier this week, allowing the company’s Gemini AI systems on classified networks. That agreement reportedly faced outcry from Google employees, roughly 600 of whom sent a letter to CEO Sundar Pichai requesting him to reject future AI partnerships with the Pentagon.Further ReadingForbesAnthropic Is Talking To U.S. Government About Mythos — Despite TensionsBy Zachary FolkForbesHegseth Designates Anthropic As Supply Chain Risk After Trump Bans Government UseBy Antonio Pequeño IV