The Pentagon has designated the AI company Anthropic as a risk to national security, after it refused to lift technological restrictions.

The American Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, classified the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, known for its AI assistant Claude, as a supply chain risk to national security on March 3, after the company refused to lift restrictions on the use of its technology in autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance. The Trump administration argued that this action is justified and legal, contesting the lawsuit filed by Anthropic, which claims that the decision violates free speech rights.

Anthropic stated that it is reviewing government documents and that its action in court is necessary to protect its business and partners. The classification as a supply chain risk could exclude Anthropic from certain military contracts, affecting the company's reputation and causing significant financial losses. Additionally, the Pentagon designated the company as a risk under another law, which could extend the order to the entire government. Anthropic is contesting this decision in a second lawsuit in a Washington, DC appeals court.