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US Military Expands AI Contracts with 8 Tech Firms for 'AI-First' Force
US Military Accelerates Shift to 'AI-First' Fighting Force
The US Department of Defense has signed new and expanded contracts with eight big tech firms – Google, OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, SpaceX, Oracle, Nvidia, and the startup Reflection – to enhance the military's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The Pentagon stated that these agreements will accelerate the transformation of the US military into an 'AI-first' fighting force, with AI technology to be used for any 'lawful operational use'. This move reflects the understanding that access to technology has become a key component for success in warfare.
Preventing Vendor Lock and Utilizing AI Platform
The Pentagon explained that partnering with numerous companies helps avoid vendor lock and ensures access to a diverse suite of AI capabilities, enabling the US military to effectively counter threats. The military's AI platform has been used by over a million people across the defense department since its launch last year, helping to cut task times 'from months to days'. Notably, Anthropic was absent from these contracts, citing concerns over the military's use of its tools, and is currently suing the government over alleged retaliation.
*Source: BBC (2026-05-01)*
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