Google and Pentagon Reportedly Agree On Deal For 'Any Lawful' Use of AI

Source: Slashdot

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Google has reportedly signed a classified agreement allowing the Pentagon to use its AI models for “any lawful government purpose.” The deal is said to discourage domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons without human oversight, but it does not give Google the power to block how the government actually uses its models.

The Verge reports that the agreement was disclosed less than a day after Google employees demanded CEO Sundar Pichai block the Pentagon from using its AI, citing concerns that it could be employed in “inhumane or extremely harmful ways.” If confirmed, the deal would place Google alongside OpenAI and xAI, which have also made classified AI agreements with the U.S. government. Anthropic was previously on that list until it was blacklisted by the Pentagon for refusing the Department of Defense’s demands to remove weapon and surveillance‑related guardrails from its AI models.

Citing a single anonymous source “with knowledge of the situation,” The Information reports that the contract states both parties have agreed that Google’s AI systems should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons “without appropriate human oversight and control.” However, the contract also says it does not give Google “any right to control or veto lawful government operational decision‑making,” suggesting the agreed restrictions are more of a pinky promise than legally binding obligations.