Microsoft backs Anthropic in its legal fight against the Pentagon

Microsoft has thrown its support behind Anthropic in a critical legal dispute. In a recent court filing, the tech giant expressed concerns that the Pentagon's actions against Anthropic could have detrimental effects on the broader technology industry and American businesses. A Microsoft attorney articulated in a proposed amicus brief to the California federal court that the current climate is not conducive to jeopardizing the AI ecosystem that the government has actively promoted. The legal drama escalated when Anthropic filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon, and various federal agencies. The company aims to temporarily halt Hegseth's order while also seeking a permanent injunction against its implementation. Microsoft, which has substantial stakes in Anthropic—having committed up to $5 billion in investments—has a direct interest in the outcome of this case, especially regarding the designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk. In their filing, Microsoft highlighted the potential fallout from the Pentagon's determination, stating that it could impose significant costs and risks on both Microsoft and other contractors that depend on Anthropic's technology to fulfill their obligations to the military. The lawyers also voiced support for Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's warnings about the misuse of AI if appropriate safeguards are not established. According to Microsoft's legal team, the focus should be on responsible and lawful applications of AI. They emphasized that technologies should not be utilized for domestic surveillance or in a manner that could trigger autonomous military actions without human oversight. The support for Anthropic extends beyond Microsoft, as notable figures from Silicon Valley, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have publicly urged the Pentagon to reconsider its decision. A group of employees from OpenAI and Google, including Google’s chief scientist Jeff Dean, also backed a separate amicus brief opposing the Pentagon's measures against Anthropic. Last week, the Pentagon made an unprecedented move, mandating that defense contractors cease collaborations with Anthropic. In a related directive, President Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to reduce their use of Anthropic's models within six months. Microsoft pointed out that the Defense Department's timeline for transitioning away from Anthropic's products does not apply to contractors using its technology, raising concerns about the feasibility of an orderly transition. The brief indicated that the Pentagon recognized the necessity of a six-month period for itself, yet failed to extend similar allowances for contractors reliant on Anthropic’s offerings. Despite the controversy, Hegseth and Pentagon leaders have dismissed Amodei's apprehensions about the potential deployment of AI in autonomous weapons or for domestic surveillance. A Microsoft spokesperson stated that all parties involved require time and a structured process to reach a consensus. They affirmed that the Department of War needs dependable access to advanced technology while ensuring that AI is not misused for intrusive surveillance or unprovoked military actions.