The US Department of War has announced a series of agreements with seven major technology companies that will allow the military to utilise their artificial intelligence software in classified operations, including mission planning and weapons targeting. The move forms part of broader efforts to diversify the range of AI providers integrated across the American military establishment.
According to the Pentagon, the agreements involve SpaceX, the parent company of the xAI artificial intelligence laboratory, alongside OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing subsidiary of Amazon.
The Pentagon stated that several of these companies already maintain existing partnerships with the Department of War. Under the new agreements, their technologies will be integrated into Pentagon network environments operating at Impact Levels 6 and 7, which are associated with highly classified security clearances and sensitive military operations.
