Alphabet’s Google has recently entered into an agreement with the US Department of Defense to provide its artificial intelligence (AI) models for classified operations, according to a report by The Information. This move places Google among other tech companies like OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, which have similar deals to supply AI models for classified purposes.
The agreement permits the Pentagon to utilize Google’s AI for various government activities within legal boundaries. Classified networks are utilized for handling sensitive tasks such as mission planning and weapon targeting.
In 2025, the Pentagon finalized agreements worth up to $200 million each with leading AI labs, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google. The aim is to maintain flexibility in defense strategies without being constrained by the creators’ warnings about using AI in weaponry.
Under the terms of Google’s agreement, the company is obligated to assist in adjusting the AI safety settings and filters as requested by the government. The contract specifies that the AI system should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without proper human oversight and control, but also emphasizes that the government retains decision-making authority.
Alphabet and the US Department of Defense, now renamed the Department of War by President Donald Trump, have not responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson from Google Public Sector, the division managing government contracts, mentioned that the new agreement is an extension of their existing contract.
Previous reports by Reuters highlighted the Pentagon’s efforts to persuade major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic to allow their tools on classified networks without the usual user restrictions.
