Google has officially signed a deal with the US Department of Defense to use its artificial intelligence models for classified tasks, joining the growing list of technology companies partnering with the military.
The agreement authorizes the Pentagon to use Google’s AI for “any lawful government purpose.” The revelation puts Google at odds with OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, both of which have secured similar deals to supply AI models for classified use.
The primary purpose of these classified networks is to manage a wide range of sensitive operations, including mission planning and weapons targeting.
To support these capabilities, the Pentagon signed agreements worth up to $200 million through 2025 with leading AI labs, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google.
The Pentagon’s goal is to maintain full flexibility in national defense, in order to avoid restrictions imposed by AI regarding the use of “unpredictable” models in weaponry.
according to reutersAlphabet (Google) has signed an amendment to its existing contract with the Department of Defense, which will require Google to help adjust AI security settings and filters at the government’s request.
While the contract states that the AI is not intended to be “domestic mass surveillance” or an “autonomous weapon” without human oversight, it explicitly prohibits Google from vetoing any legitimate government operational decision.
The move puts Google at odds with rivals like OpenAI and xAI, which have also secured deals to provide AI models for sensitive, classified government tasks.
The Pentagon has reportedly pressured major AI firms, including Anthropic and OpenAI, to lift “standard restrictions” on their tools when used on classified networks.
The government is seeking maximum flexibility to use AI in military contexts, with the goal of bypassing the ethical guardrails typically applied to commercial users.
Additionally, the deal was managed by Google’s dedicated government unit, which confirmed that the terms represent an extension of the company’s long-term partnership with the US military.
