Google signs deal with US defence for classified AI use

Alphabet’s Google has reportedly joined a growing list of technology companies partnering with the US Department of Defence to provide artificial intelligence models for classified government work, according to a report by The Information, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The agreement allows the Pentagon to use Google’s AI systems for “any lawful government purpose,” placing the company alongside other major AI developers such as OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, which have also entered similar arrangements for classified applications.

Classified military networks are used for sensitive operations, including mission planning, intelligence analysis, and weapons targeting support systems. The US Defence Department has been increasingly investing in artificial intelligence to enhance its operational capabilities.

Pakistan rejects Afghan claims of cross-border strikes in Kunar

According to the report, the Pentagon has signed agreements worth up to $200 million each with leading AI firms in 2025, including Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The objective is to ensure flexibility in defence applications without being restricted by safety limitations set by AI developers.

The agreement reportedly includes provisions allowing the US government to request adjustments to Google’s AI safety settings and filtering systems when necessary. However, it also states that the AI systems are not intended for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons use without human oversight and control.

At the same time, the contract clarifies that it does not give AI companies the authority to interfere with or veto lawful government operational decisions.

Neither Alphabet nor the US Department of Defence, recently renamed the Department of War by President Donald Trump, immediately responded to requests for comment. A Google Public Sector spokesperson described the agreement as an amendment to an existing government contract.

The development highlights the growing integration of artificial intelligence into national defence systems and the increasing collaboration between major technology firms and the US military.