OpenAI sealed a major partnership with the Pentagon late Friday, February 27, 2026. This deal lets the company’s AI tools run on the military’s top-secret systems. CEO Sam Altman shared the news on X, stressing strong safety rules built right into the agreement.
Quick Shift Follows Government Ban
The timing felt striking. Just hours earlier, President Trump directed all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s AI products. He called the rival company’s limits a risk. As a result, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Anthropic a “supply chain risk.” This move effectively blocked it from government work and contractor deals.
However, OpenAI stepped in smoothly. Altman highlighted two key safety promises: no domestic mass surveillance and always human control over any force, including autonomous weapons. “The Department of War agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement,” he explained. Additionally, OpenAI will send engineers to the Pentagon to monitor safe use.
Rivalry Heats Up Between AI Giants
Anthropic plans to fight back legally. The company argues the “supply chain risk” tag unfairly targets an American firm—usually saved for foreign threats. Meanwhile, observers point out the irony. OpenAI now locks in similar guardrails that Anthropic once pushed for, yet Anthropic faces exclusion.
Pentagon leaders welcomed the change. Under Secretary Emil Michael praised OpenAI as a trustworthy partner for the “AI Age.” For now, this partnership gives the military reliable AI support while keeping ethical lines firm.
