OpenAI has reached an agreement with the US Department of War to deploy its artificial intelligence models within the department’s classified network, Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman announced on Friday. The development comes amid an escalating standoff between the Trump administration and rival AI firm Anthropic over conditions tied to military use of its technology.
Altman said in a post on X that the arrangement embeds OpenAI’s core safety principles directly into the deployment terms. “Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network.”
Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network.
— Sam Altman (@sama) February 28, 2026
In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome.
AI safety and wide distribution of…
Safety principles written into agreement
According to Altman, two central commitments form part of the agreement: a prohibition on domestic mass surveillance and the requirement of human responsibility in the use of force, including in autonomous weapons systems.
“Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement,” Altman wrote.
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He added that in discussions leading up to the deal, the department demonstrated a focus on safety and expressed interest in structured collaboration.
Technical safeguards and limited deployment
Beyond policy commitments, OpenAI said it will introduce technical safeguards to ensure its models operate within agreed parameters. Altman noted that the company will deploy field deployment engineers to assist with implementation and oversight. The models will operate on cloud networks, he said, underscoring controlled deployment within classified systems.
OpenAI has also asked the Department of War to extend similar contractual terms to other AI firms. "We are asking the DoW to offer these same terms to all AI companies, which in our opinion, we think everyone should be willing to accept,” Altman said.
Dispute with Anthropic intensifies
The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s directive ordering federal agencies to immediately stop using Anthropic’s technology after the company declined to allow unconditional military use of its Claude models.
Also Read | What is Claude Cowork? Anthropic's new AI tool that has tech world on edge
“THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS! That decision belongs to YOUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, and the tremendous leaders I appoint to run our Military (sic)”, the US President wrote on his Truth Social post.
“I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology. We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again!”
“Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow”, he added.
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Anthropic has said its systems should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons and has indicated it may pursue legal action over what it described as intimidation.
The Pentagon has maintained that it operates within existing law and that suppliers cannot dictate how contracted products are used.
