According to The Information, Google has reportedly signed a contract with the US Department of Defense to provide its artificial intelligence models for sensitive government work. The move makes Google part of a growing group of major technology companies working with the U.S. military on advanced AI capabilities.
According to The Information, the deal will allow the Department of Defense to deploy Google’s AI systems for “any legitimate government purpose,” and aligns the company with other AI developers like OpenAI and xAI, which have also secured contracts to provide models for sensitive environments. These agreements are part of a broader effort by the Department of Defense to integrate cutting-edge AI into sensitive operations, according to statements cited in the report.
Classified networks within the Department of Defense are used for tasks ranging from mission planning to weapons targeting. The Department of Defense has signed contracts worth up to $200 million each in 2025 with several major AI companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google, according to The Information. The agency encourages companies to adapt their systems for use on classified systems, often requiring fewer restrictions than those typically applied to commercial users.
Google’s contract reportedly includes a clause requiring the company to adjust its AI safety filters in response to government requests, according to The Information. At the same time, the agreement also outlines certain boundaries: “The parties agree that AI systems are not intended for, and should not be used for, domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons (including target selection) without appropriate human oversight and control.”
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However, the contract also specifies that Google does not have the power to override or veto lawful government decisions about how the technology is used, the report added. According to The Information, this provision raises questions about the scope of corporate oversight of military applications of AI.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the agreement. Google emphasized its broad support for both classified and unclassified government activities. A company spokesperson said the company remains consistent with the industry consensus that AI should not be deployed in domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human oversight. “We believe that providing API access to our commercial models, including Google infrastructure, in accordance with industry standard practices and terms is a responsible approach to supporting national security,” the spokesperson told Reuters.
The Pentagon has previously said it does not intend to use AI for mass surveillance of Americans or to develop fully autonomous lethal weapons, but has maintained that “any lawful use” of AI should remain an option. According to The Information, tensions have already surfaced between the department and AI companies over these issues. Earlier this year, Anthropic faced backlash for refusing to lift safeguards that prevent its systems from being used in autonomous weapons or surveillance programs, leading the Pentagon to label it a supply chain risk.
Inside Google, the partnership has raised concerns among employees. A letter circulated internally warned that such partnerships could result in technology being applied in “inhumane or extremely harmful ways.” More than 600 employees signed an open letter to CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday, expressing concerns about the company’s negotiations with the Pentagon, the Information reported.
Source: Information
