SUMMARY
- Report alleges US military AI use involving Anthropic’s Claude in Venezuela operation
- Claude reportedly accessed via partnership with Palantir Technologies
- Deployment raises policy questions about AI safeguards in defense settings
WASHINGTON — The US military used Anthropic’s AI model Claude during a raid in Venezuela targeting President Nicolás Maduro, according to a report Saturday by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The report marks one of the most prominent allegations of US military AI use in an overseas operation, spotlighting tensions between defense priorities and private sector AI governance rules.
Anthropic’s terms prohibit violent or weapons related applications. According to Venezuela’s defense ministry, the raid involved bombings in Caracas and resulted in 83 deaths.
The US Defense Department declined to comment. Anthropic spokespersons said any government use must comply with company policies but did not confirm operational details.
The Journal reported Claude was accessed through Anthropic’s partnership with Palantir Technologies, a defense contractor. Palantir did not respond to requests for comment.
The Pentagon in January announced work with xAI, owned by Elon Musk, and maintains customized systems with Google and OpenAI for research support.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in January the department would not employ AI models that restrict combat use.
Michael Horowitz, political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said military AI use is expanding but governance frameworks remain fragmented.
“Integration often outpaces oversight,” he said. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has previously called for regulation of advanced AI systems and cautioned against autonomous lethal uses.
Rebecca Crootof, law professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said AI deployment in conflict raises accountability questions under international law. Venezuelan officials accused Washington of violating sovereignty.
Congress is reviewing federal AI procurement standards. Defense officials have said classified AI applications will expand.
The reported US military AI use involving Claude underscores growing reliance on commercial artificial intelligence in national security operations.
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