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As relations between the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and AI startups have suddenly become tense, Silicon Valley is experiencing a cognitive shock about "defensive business." In the past week, negotiations between Anthropic and the Pentagon over Claude technology collapsed, and the company was subsequently added to the "supply chain risk list."
Facing this shift, Anthropic has clearly stated it will challenge this designation in court. Meanwhile, its competitor OpenAI quickly filled the vacuum, announcing a partnership with the Department of Defense. This move caused a strong backlash among users, with data showing that the uninstallation rate of ChatGPT increased by 295% after the deal was announced, and a large number of lost users pushed Anthropic's Claude to the top of the app store rankings.
The core focus of this incident includes:
Dispute over Contract Terms: The root of the dispute lies in the Pentagon's attempt to revise existing contract terms to gain broader control over AI technology, which touched Anthropic's bottom line regarding "non-lethal use."
Executive Exodus: OpenAI's internal environment is not without turbulence either, as at least one executive resigned in frustration over concerns about the company rushing into military deals without sufficient safety safeguards.
Chilling Effect on Startups: Industry experts worry that the government's unilateral modification of signed contracts could make more tech startups hesitant to pursue defense contracts.
Personal Rivalry: Reports suggest that the personal conflict between Anthropic's CEO and the current Chief Technology Officer at the Department of Defense (a former Uber executive) has added a complex human element to what was otherwise a formal negotiation.
Although both OpenAI and Anthropic publicly state they will impose limitations on the military use of AI, Anthropic's "uncompromising stance" on clause details and OpenAI's "efficient alignment" have created a sharp contrast, redefining the rules of engagement between AI giants and national security agencies.