U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the U.S. government must "immediately" stop using the technologies of the AI startup "Anthropic," LETA reported citing AFP.
On Thursday, "Anthropic" rejected the Pentagon's demand to agree to unlimited military use of its AI models "Claude".
"Anthropic" opposes the use of its technology for mass surveillance of U.S. citizens or in fully autonomous weapon systems. After Trump's statement, the company promised to go to court.
"No intimidation or punishment from the Department of Defense will change our position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons," "Anthropic" stated on Friday.
The Pentagon countered that it operates within the law and that contracted suppliers cannot impose conditions regarding the use of their products.
"I order all federal agencies of the U.S. government to immediately cease any use of "Anthropic" technologies. We do not need this, we do not want it, and we will no longer have any deals with them!" Trump wrote on his social network "Truth Social".
""Anthropic" should get its affairs in order and be useful during this period of refusal, otherwise I will use presidential powers to force them to comply, with serious civil and criminal consequences," Trump added.
After a meeting with representatives of "Anthropic" this week, the Pentagon issued an ultimatum — by 5:01 PM Friday (12:01 AM Saturday Latvian time) to agree to unlimited military use of the technology, otherwise the company will be compelled to comply under the Defense Production Act.
This Cold War-era law, last applied during the Covid-19 pandemic, gives the federal government broad powers to compel private manufacturers to prioritize national security needs.
The Pentagon also threatened to classify "Anthropic" as a supply chain risk, which is typically applied to companies from hostile nations.
"We will contest in court any classification as a supply chain risk," the company stated in a lengthy statement, emphasizing the dangers of the Pentagon's demands.
"We believe that in some cases AI can undermine rather than protect democratic values," noted "Anthropic".
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset stated that he instructed the Pentagon to implement these threats.
"From this moment on, no contractor, supplier, or partner dealing with the U.S. Army can conduct any commercial activity with "Anthropic," Hegset stated.
""Anthropic" has demonstrated a masterclass in arrogance and betrayal, as well as an example of how not to do business with the U.S. government or the Pentagon," Hegset wrote on the platform "X".
