Google signs classified AI deal with US Pentagon for defense applications
The deal places Google alongside other major AI companies, including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI
Alphabet-owned Google has signed a new agreement with the US Department of Defense allowing its artificial intelligence (AI) systems to be used for classified government operations, according to a report by The Information, which cited people familiar with the matter.
The deal places Google alongside other major AI companies, including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, that have recently agreed to provide advanced AI models for restricted defense use.
The systems are expected to support a wide range of sensitive military functions, including operational planning and other classified workloads conducted on secure government networks.
According to the report, the agreement permits the Pentagon to use Google’s AI “for any lawful government purpose,” significantly broadening the scope of potential applications.
It also forms part of a wider push by the US military to integrate artificial intelligence into national security operations while maintaining operational flexibility.
In 2025, the Pentagon signed multiple contracts worth up to $200 million each with leading AI developers such as Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.
These agreements reflect growing competition among technology firms to supply advanced AI capabilities for defense use.
The contract reportedly includes provisions stating that Google’s AI systems are not intended for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons use without appropriate human oversight.
However, it also clarifies that the government retains full authority over operational decisions without requiring approval from Google.
Google’s public sector unit described the arrangement as an amendment to its existing government contract, according to the report.
Neither Google nor the US Department of Defense commented immediately on the agreement, and Reuters said it could not independently verify the details.
The development highlights the accelerating integration of commercial AI systems into national security infrastructure as global demand for advanced defense technologies continues to grow.