this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2026
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Pete Hegseth has threatened to cancel $200m contract unless it is given unfettered access to Claude model

Anthropic said Thursday it “cannot in good conscience” comply with a demand from the Pentagon to remove safety precautions from its artificial intelligence model and grant the US military unfettered access to its AI capabilities.

The Department of Defense had threatened to cancel a $200m contract and deem Anthropic a “supply chain risk”, a designation with serious financial implications, if the company did not comply with the request by Friday.

Chief executive Dario Amodei said in a statement that the threats from the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, would not change the company’s position, and that he hoped Hegseth would “reconsider”.

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[–] Beetschnapps@lemmy.world 7 points 19 hours ago

[immediately spins up a new company with no issues, a gov contract, and a data-sharing partnership agreement with Anthropic]

[–] melsaskca@lemmy.ca 19 points 1 day ago

It's almost like the usa is very corrupt, carrying a big money stick and bullying people with it.

[–] kurmudgeon@lemmy.world 40 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 60 points 1 day ago (4 children)

To summarize, “Using AI for mass spying is fine so long as it’s not Americans being spied on. Using AI to murder with no oversight or accountability is also fine, but only when it’s not Americans.”

This is not the win that people are making it out to be. This is heinous.

[–] NewSocialWhoDis@lemmy.zip 2 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

"Using AI to murder with no oversight or >accountability is also fine, but only when it’s not >Americans.”

I read the whole statement. That was not what they said. They said it might be a future application of the technology, but right now the technology isn't ready or safe enough for this.

Before LLMs, there were already machine learning algorithms and software to do automatic targeting. I don't understand why we would even want to employ these tools trained to generically do anything okayish vs a highly specialized tool for this kind of application. The most exciting and useful applications of AI are highly specialized and trained applications: breast cancer screening, alpha fold, automatic targeting, etc. Why the fuck would you push to use Claude for this anyway?!

[–] realitista@lemmus.org 21 points 1 day ago

I mean it's a lot better than anything I expected, especially under this administration, that's for sure. Most other companies are rolling over to everything.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

USA has absolutely zero respect for the rights of people in or from other countries.
This was also evident in how Obama explained the "balance" of US surveillance.
It is also evident in how USA spies on allied top politicians. The might makes right mentality in USA is disgusting.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

USA has absolutely zero respect for the rights of people in or from other countries.

Your statement isn't wrong, but you could substitute any powerful nation in the place of "USA" today or throughout history and the statement would be correct too. Geopolitics is really really ugly if you peal back the thin veneers of soft power and diplomacy on top.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

There are degrees of disrespect, and I would argue that every single EU country has higher respect, also because to be in EU it is a requirement to observe human rights.
Disrespecting the rights of people even if they aren't of your own nationality, is contrary to democratic values.
You may be thinking China and Russia are just as bad or maybe even worse, but that isn't the pattern you should be looking at, you should compare with other democracies, and especially countries that have better democracy than USA.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (1 children)

Geopolitically you're cherry picking from a time when nations of the EU are not as powerful globally. When Germany was powerful, look how they treated the Poles. When Belgium was powerful look at it treated the people of Central Africa (Congo). Spain, at the height of its power, treated the Aztec and other nations in the Caribbean with zero respect.

also because to be in EU it is a requirement to observe human rights. Disrespecting the rights of people even if they aren’t of your own nationality, is contrary to democratic values.

That is part of the diplomatic veneer. Yes, its an ideal, but it will be discarded when geopolitically necessary. How many boats of migrants have drowned off the coast of Italy or Greece? Are diplomats and citizens of Israel still allowed free movement in the EU with its treatment of those in Gaza?

Keep in mind, I'm not criticizing the EU. I recognize the really ugly realities that come with geopolitics and the choices that national leaders make to serve the interests of their citizens, even with it conflicts with their own ideals.

You may be thinking China and Russia are just as bad or maybe even worse, but that isn’t the pattern you should be looking at, you should compare with other democracies, and especially countries that have better democracy than USA.

Comparing "degrees of disrespect" is ignoring geopolitical realities. If you want to have a conversation about ideals humanity should adopt we will likely agree on most of the points of the discussion, but understand national leaders will (when push comes to shove) ignore all of it and do what they think is best for their nation no matter the cost to other nations.

Also, none of this is a defense of the actions of China, Russia, or the USA. Its a recognition that powerful nations do these things when it serves their interests.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Those examples are straw-men, because before WW2 human rights were not a thing. In the stone age people hit each other with clubs doesn't prove anything.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I'm very very confused. You...don't think the concept of human rights existed before 1939 (or 1945)?

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (1 children)

They were not a thing like they are today, where most democracies strive to observe human rights.
For instance it wouldn't make much sense for a government to claim to be for human rights while they extort colonies.
And human rights have always been a thing only respected by democracies. But nowhere as much as in EU where it is a requirement.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

They were not a thing like they are today

I disagree with your statement.

Do I need to point to obvious examples such as the US Declaration of Independence in 1776?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"

And human rights have always been a thing only respected by democracies. But nowhere as much as in EU where it is a requirement.

Even ancient Rome had a number of things legally protected that we call "human rights" today. I think you're conveniently cherry picking conditions and a time to make your statement true ignoring history. You're welcome to do that, but I believe that's intellectually dishonest. You're free to your opinion and your position though, so I'll leave you to it. Thank you for conversing up to now. I hope you have a great day.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

the US Declaration of Independence in 1776?

You are only proving my point, this was from when USA was created as a democracy.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal

Except for slaves and women, so no that is not a declaration of respect for human rights as we understand them today. But it was a start.

But even if the meaning was good, USA no-longer respect the values of democracy. Many other democracies do.

[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Almost like it is a whole bunch of people who consider rape an extension of power looking at how they can put themselves atop the pyramid.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Rape as a method of power is a tiny tiny tiny part/tool of geopolitics at the nation state level. Almost too small mention. The same original statement is the rationale for colonization of the Carrebean/Americas/Africa by European powers in the 15th century and beyond as just an example.

[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 1 points 1 day ago

I know I know but just for the people in the back who can't get the complexity of a system that incentivizes infighting of other countries to reduce their population numbers willingly by enslaving and weakening their outward defenses till they can be sacked for anything left of value after their people are gone and used as labor...

Raping children still looks pretty bad and is real simple to realize that as a bargaining and power ritual of the wealthy/ruling, maybe the complicated stuff they do is horrible too.

[–] greybeard@feddit.online 9 points 1 day ago

As an American, it has always been obvious to me that the government thinks rights are only for people in the country. Snoden's whistle blowing made it clear that it isn't just US. Lots of other countries act the same way, and the US government is using that to allow them to spy domestically too.

[–] beelzebum@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

we use definite articles

[–] HermitBee@feddit.uk 7 points 1 day ago

To be fair, if I were saying "no" to the Department of War, I'd also want to come across as an all-American toadying suckup.

[–] daannii@lemmy.world 32 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Just give them a fake broken version of it and say "we are still working on some of the bugs".

[–] plateee@piefed.social 41 points 1 day ago (1 children)

give them a fake broken version

So normal AI then?

[–] WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 18 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

The funny thing about fascists is that they are so mentally ill, immature, and authoritarian that they self-own constantly. The traits that make them fascist also render them completely incompetent and unable to create; only steal, co-opt, terrorize, and destroy.

If they nationalize or criminalize Anthropic, they will lose most of the brains that made it competitive, and be left with yet another failed fascist endeavor. It's in their best interests to compel companies with a lighter touch. This is why every bit of resistance matters, from every institution and org (though don't expect late stage caps to do the right thing).

But most Americans still do not understand the only way out of fascism is by physically removing the fascist cancer, so I hope they do try to nationalize Anthropic and continue the last year of accelerationism. Losing everything is the only scenario where Americans will revolt against the fascist dictatorship, and that must happen before they have fully autonomous drone killbots to mass murder all who oppose them.

[–] GuyFawkesV@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Would YOU trust Kegsbreath not to use it anyways and then try and shift the blame when it goes haywire? Perhaps you should go watch Robocop (80’s version) to see how that works out?

[–] frostysauce@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Robocop 2 was even better.

[–] U7826391786239@piefed.zip 26 points 1 day ago

i give it a week before they 180 on this

[–] mycodesucks@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"Not without additional massive investment into our research department so we can responsibly work on countermeasures."

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm not finding that part?

[–] mycodesucks@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

It's the part they say later behind closed doors after they meet about this.

Anthropic can't remove AI checks in good conscience because they don't HAVE good conscience.

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 7 points 1 day ago

I swear there was an article a few days ago saying they would knuckle under.

[–] RainbowHedgehog@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Well, that’s scary…

[–] Shanmugha@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I am going to buy a big bucket of pop-corn for this