OpenAI and Google employees defend Anthropic in lawsuit against U.S government

In a significant legal move, Anthropic has launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense after being categorized as a potential 'supply-chain risk.' This designation has sparked a response from over 30 employees at OpenAI and Google DeepMind, who have come together to support Anthropic by filing an amicus brief on March 9, 2026. The brief argues that the government's labeling of Anthropic as a supply chain risk represents an arbitrary misuse of power, with repercussions that could adversely affect the entire AI industry. The employees expressed their concerns that such actions could stifle public discourse surrounding the advantages and challenges of AI technology, as well as hinder the U.S.'s competitiveness in this critical sector. This legal support surfaced shortly after Anthropic initiated two lawsuits against the Department of Defense and various federal agencies. Within their court filing, the employees highlighted that if the Pentagon had issues with their contract with Anthropic, it could have simply terminated the agreement and sought services from another AI provider. The brief emphasized that the DOD had the option to pivot to another leading AI firm, which they eventually did by collaborating with OpenAI. The signatories cautioned that permitting the government’s actions to continue could negatively impact the U.S.’s industrial and scientific leadership in artificial intelligence and other related fields. Additionally, the brief defended Anthropic’s implementation of safety measures aimed at preventing the misuse of AI technologies, such as mass surveillance and autonomous weaponry. The filing underscored the current lack of robust regulations governing AI, which makes the internal safeguards established by companies like Anthropic vital to prevent the potential abuse of AI advancements.