<span>STORY: Alphabet’s Google has reportedly joined a list of tech firms to sign a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense.</span><span>It’s to use its AI models for classified work.</span><span>The Information reported the deal on Tuesday (April 28), citing a person familiar with the matter.</span><span>It added the agreement allows the Pentagon to use Google’s AI for “any lawful government purpose”.</span><span>And puts it alongside OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, which also have deals to supply AI models for classified use.</span><span>Classified networks are used to handle a wide range of sensitive work.</span><span>They include mission planning and weapons targeting.</span><span>Reuters couldn’t verify the report.</span><span>The Pentagon signed agreements worth up to $200 million each with major AI labs last year, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google.</span><span>Reuters had earlier reported the Pentagon wanted top AI companies to make their tools available on classified networks without the standard restrictions they apply to users.</span><span>The Information reported Google’s agreement requires it to help in adjusting the company’s AI safety settings and filters at the government’s request.</span><span>Alphabet and the U.S. Department of Defense, which has now been renamed the Department of War by President Trump, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.</span><span>Google said it supports government agencies across both classified and non-classified projects.</span><span>And added it was committed to the consensus AI shouldn’t be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry without appropriate human oversight.</span><span>The Pentagon has said it has no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans.</span><span>Or to develop weapons that operate without human involvement, but wants ‘any lawful use’ of AI to be allowed.</span>
