Recently, the tension between the U.S. Department of Defense and the AI startup company Anthropic PBC has escalated. Sources have revealed that the Pentagon has warned Anthropic that if the company does not comply with the terms regarding the use of its technology, their existing military contracts will be terminated on Friday. This decision could affect up to $200 million in military projects, further intensifying the dispute between the two parties.

During a meeting on Tuesday, Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei met with the Secretary of Defense. During the meeting, U.S. officials made it clear that if Anthropic does not allow the military unrestricted use of its artificial intelligence technology, they will consider listing the company as a supply chain risk and may invoke the Defense Production Act to force the use of its software. This threat reflects the Department of Defense's urgent need for AI technology in military applications.

Amodei strongly opposed the Department of Defense's requirements. He emphasized that the military must not use his company's products to autonomously target enemy combatants or conduct mass surveillance of American citizens, noting that such situations have not occurred in practice. His position highlights the ethical and legal boundaries of AI technology in military applications and reminds everyone to pay attention to the social impact brought by technological development.

After the meeting, Anthropic reiterated that they are engaged in ongoing discussions with the government to support national security missions but have no plans to relax restrictions on military use. This issue is not just about a company's contract with the military, but also involves broader AI ethics and application concerns. As AI technology continues to advance, discussions on how to safely and reasonably use these technologies will become increasingly important.

The subsequent developments of this incident are worth watching, as whether Anthropic can reach an agreement with the Department of Defense and continue its military projects will directly affect the future direction of the AI field.