Anthropic, an AI company founded by former OpenAI staff, is currently in a significant dispute with the Pentagon regarding the ethical use of its artificial intelligence models. The Defense Department approved Anthropic's AI for classified tasks under a $200 million contract, but the company firmly opposes its use for autonomous weapons or mass domestic surveillance without human involvement. This stance has caused tension, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Pentagon officials expressing frustration over the restrictions, even accusing Anthropic of catering to a liberal workforce. The disagreement highlights broader political tensions surrounding AI deployment, and a failure to reach an agreement could lead the DOD to label Anthropic a "supply chain risk," potentially harming its business as it competes with giants like OpenAI and Google.
Beyond the military applications, AI is seeing diverse adoption across various sectors. Trinity Catholic School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, became the state's first private school to implement the ZeroEyes AI gun detection system, which identifies potential shooters before they enter the building and alerts law enforcement. Meanwhile, Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, is emerging as a potential hub for AI infrastructure, attracting investors like Meta with its access to natural gas and water for data centers. El Paso City Council is also working on community-led guidelines for future AI data centers, addressing concerns about local resource impacts like water and electricity.
In the realm of digital security, Cloud Range introduced its AI Validation Range, a cyber range platform designed for securely testing and validating AI models and agentic AI against real cyberattacks. India is making strides in AI, with the India AI Film Festival showcasing how AI is transforming filmmaking by automating tasks and lowering production costs, though this raises concerns about job displacement. Union Minister Jitin Prasada announced India's ambition to lead the global AI agenda, focusing on balanced regulation, cybersecurity, and mass skilling, aiming to become a global AI service provider and attract significant technology investments.
Ethical considerations continue to be a prominent theme in the AI community. Elon Musk publicly criticized Amanda Askell, Anthropic's Head of Ethics, over her perceived "stake in the future" due to not having children, sparking a philosophical debate about who is best suited to guide AI development for humanity's future. Furthermore, government legal professionals are being advised to adopt strict data rules for AI tools, ensuring no customer data is used for training and guaranteeing absolute data containment with end-to-end encryption, as highlighted in a February 2026 report. Even deep-sea exploration is benefiting from AI, with Deployable AI using AI-driven underwater vehicles to automatically find, follow, and identify marine life, tested successfully in Monterey Bay in October 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Anthropic is in a dispute with the Pentagon over its AI's ethical use, specifically opposing its application in autonomous weapons or mass domestic surveillance.
- The Pentagon's $200 million contract with Anthropic is at risk due to these disagreements, with the DoD threatening to label Anthropic a "supply chain risk."
- Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI staff, competes with companies like OpenAI and Google, and has secured $30 billion in funding.
- Trinity Catholic School in Arkansas is the first private school in the state to use the ZeroEyes AI gun detection system for security.
- Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, and El Paso are exploring becoming hubs for AI data centers, attracting companies like Meta, but also raising concerns about local resource impact.
- Cloud Range launched its AI Validation Range, a cyber range platform for securely testing and validating AI models against cyberattacks.
- India is positioning itself as a global AI leader, aiming to attract investment and become a service provider, while also exploring AI's impact on industries like film.
- Elon Musk publicly debated Anthropic's Head of Ethics, Amanda Askell, regarding who has a "stake in the future" for guiding AI development.
- Government legal professionals are advised to use AI tools with strict data rules, ensuring no customer data is used for training and guaranteeing data containment.
- AI-driven underwater vehicles, developed as "Deployable AI," are being used for deep-sea exploration to automatically identify marine life.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei clashes with Pentagon over AI use
Anthropic, an AI company led by CEO Dario Amodei, is in a dispute with the Defense Department. The Pentagon approved Anthropic's AI for classified tasks, but the company opposes its use for autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance. This disagreement could affect their $200 million contract and Anthropic's business, especially with competitors like OpenAI and Google. Dario and Daniela Amodei founded Anthropic in 2021 with former OpenAI staff due to different views on AI development.
Pentagon and Anthropic clash over AI safety rules
The Department of Defense and AI company Anthropic are in a heated dispute over their contract for using AI on classified systems. Anthropic insists its AI should not be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human involvement. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Pentagon officials are upset by these restrictions. The Pentagon even accused Anthropic of catering to a liberal workforce. This disagreement highlights political tensions around AI use in the Trump administration.
Anthropic and Pentagon dispute AI use terms
AI company Anthropic and the Pentagon are clashing over how Anthropic's AI models can be used. Anthropic wants assurances that its technology will not be used for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance of Americans. However, the Department of Defense wants to use the models for all lawful purposes without limits, according to Emil Michael. If no agreement is reached, the DOD might label Anthropic a "supply chain risk," which could harm its business. Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI researchers, recently secured $30 billion in funding and is committed to US national security.
Arkansas Catholic school installs AI gun detection system
Trinity Catholic School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, has adopted the ZeroEyes AI gun detection system. This makes it the first private school in the state to use such technology. The system uses artificial intelligence to identify potential shooters before they enter the building and then alerts law enforcement and school officials. Principal Zach Edwards said the school prioritized this safety measure after recent shootings, including one in Nashville. ZeroEyes, launched in 2018, operates in 46 states and helps track a shooter's movements to provide critical information.
Trinity Catholic School uses AI for gun detection
Trinity Catholic School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is the first private school in the state to use the ZeroEyes AI gun detection system. This technology connects to the school's security cameras and uses artificial intelligence to spot potential shooters before they enter. Once a threat is detected, ZeroEyes employees review the footage and immediately alert law enforcement and school officials. Principal Zach Edwards explained that the school increased its safety efforts after recent shootings. Chris Heilig from ZeroEyes noted their system is used in 46 states and constantly updated.
Beaver Valley aims to be regional AI data hub
Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, is looking to become a major hub for AI infrastructure, including data centers and power plants. Investors are drawn to old industrial sites that offer natural gas and water from the Ohio River. Joanna Doven of AI Strike Team believes this development will bring tax revenue and good-paying jobs. However, Lew Vilotti from Beaver County's economic development group warns against passing energy costs to residents. Companies like Aligned and Meta are already planning projects in Shippingport and Midland, with local residents generally welcoming the economic boost.
India AI Film Festival showcases filmmaking changes
The India AI Film Festival and AI Impact Summit in New Delhi highlighted how artificial intelligence is changing the film industry. A major debate focused on the "labor of art" as AI can now automate tasks like screenwriting, music, and visuals. AI platforms promise to lower production costs and make filmmaking more accessible. However, this also raises concerns about many job losses in India's large film industry. AI startups are pitching tools that can turn a basic idea into a professional film at a much lower cost.
Cloud Range launches AI testing platform for security
Cloud Range has launched its new AI Validation Range, a cyber range platform designed for secure AI testing. This platform helps security teams test and validate AI models and agentic AI before they are used in real systems. CEO Debbie Gordon explained it allows organizations to measure how AI performs against real cyberattacks compared to human defenders. Key features include simulating adversarial attacks, training AI agents for security operations, and validating operational readiness in a safe, isolated environment. This tool helps businesses understand AI behavior and ensure security and accountability.
Elon Musk criticizes Anthropic ethics head on future stake
Elon Musk publicly criticized Amanda Askell, Anthropic's Head of Ethics, stating that people without children lack a stake in the future. Askell, who helps define the ethical rules for Anthropic's Claude AI, calmly responded that caring about all people gives her a strong stake in the future. Musk then doubled down on his view, saying one cannot understand his point without having a child. This exchange highlights a philosophical disagreement in the AI industry about who is best suited to guide AI development for humanity's future.
India aims to lead global AI and attract investment
Union Minister Jitin Prasada announced at the India Today AI Summit 2026 that India is ready to lead the global AI agenda and attract major technology investments. India aims to become a global AI service provider by focusing on balanced regulation, cybersecurity, and mass skilling. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India wants to ensure AI benefits all nations, especially the Global South. The country is prioritizing practical AI applications and facilitating affordable GPU access for researchers. Prasada also stated that while innovation is encouraged, strict action will be taken against any harm caused by AI.
Government legal AI needs strict data rules
Government legal professionals need to be very careful when using AI to protect sensitive data. On February 18, 2026, a report highlighted two essential rules for secure legal AI. First, AI tools must never use customer data for training, ensuring government information remains private and owned by the agency. Second, there must be absolute data containment, meaning no data leaks, with end-to-end encryption and clear data policies. Choosing professional-grade AI, like CoCounsel Legal, which meets federal security standards and has certifications, helps government teams use AI confidently and safely.
El Paso Council seeks rules for AI data centers
The El Paso City Council voted to create community-led guidelines for future AI data centers in the Borderland region. City Representative Josh Acevedo initiated the effort due to concerns about data centers impacting local resources like water and electricity. The council wants an independent analysis of these impacts and hopes to partner with El Paso County. However, City Representative Art Fierro voted against the measure, suggesting a delay for more input and worrying centers might just move outside city limits. The council also asked the city attorney to review 380 existing data center agreements.
AI underwater vehicles explore deep sea life
Engineers and scientists have spent two years developing Deployable AI for deep-sea exploration. This project uses AI-driven underwater vehicles to find, follow, and identify deep-sea animals automatically. The technology includes cameras, a compact computer, and special software algorithms. After training in a simulated environment and using the FathomNet Database, the AI was tested in October 2024 in Monterey Bay. The MiniROV vehicle from the Research Vessel Rachel Carson successfully followed siphonophores, comb jellies, and jellyfish, showing promise for faster ocean discovery.
Sources
- Decoding the A.I. Beliefs of Anthropic and Its C.E.O., Dario Amodei
- Defense Department and Anthropic Square Off in Dispute Over A.I. Safety
- Anthropic is clashing with the Pentagon over AI use. Here's what each side wants
- Arkansas Catholic School Adopts AI Gun-Detection Security System: ‘It’s Time. We Need It’
- Arkansas Catholic school adopts AI gun-detection security system
- Beaver Valley could become center of AI infrastructure for region
- Algorithm action: AI platforms disrupt silver screen at India AI Film Festival
- Cloud Range Rolls Out Validation Range for Secure AI Testing
- “Those Without Children Lack A Stake In The Future”: Elon Musk Attacks Amanda Askell, Anthropic’s Ethics Head
- India ready to set global AI agenda, attract big tech investments: Minister Jitin Prasada
- Two data non-negotiables of government legal AI
- El Paso City Council seeks community-led guidelines for future AI data centers
- Deployable Artificial Intelligence for Exploration and Discovery in the Deep Sea
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