Google Negotiating with Pentagon to Use Gemini AI in Classified Defense Projects
Google is negotiating with the U.S. Department of Defense to use its Gemini artificial intelligence system for classified operations. The company proposed contract language restricting Gemini's use in domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons without human oversight. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is phasing out Anthropic's AI systems after a dispute over usage limits.
NewsweekGoogle is currently in discussions with the Pentagon about deploying its Gemini artificial intelligence system for classified work, Reuters reported. As part of the negotiations, Google proposed contract language to prevent Gemini AI from being used for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons without appropriate human control.
A new report released this week found that AI search powered by Gemini produced approximately 9 percent incorrect search results.
" Google search requests exceed five trillion annually, underscoring the scale at which Gemini AI could operate if deployed by the Defense Department. Separately, the Pentagon announced a six-month phase-out of all products from Anthropic systems following a rift that arose after the company was asked to remove limits on how its Claude AI model could be used by the military. U.S.
military in controlled settings for data analysis and decision-support functions. S. also used Claude as part of the operation to capture then-Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his Caracas compound in early January.
U.S. government was "opportunistic and sloppy," reflecting tensions in the military's use of AI technologies. Newsweek reached out to both the Pentagon and Google by email on Thursday morning for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Story Timeline
3 events- 2026-04-16
Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon and Google by email for comment on the Gemini AI talks.
1 sourceNewsweek - 2026-04
Pentagon announced a six-month phase-out of all Anthropic AI products following a rift over usage limits.
1 sourceunattributed - 2026-01
U.S. military used Anthropic’s Claude AI in the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
1 sourceThe Wall Street Journal
Potential Impact
- 01
Deployment of Gemini AI could enhance classified data processing capabilities within the U.S. military.
- 02
Phasing out Anthropic's AI systems may disrupt existing military data analysis workflows relying on Claude.
- 03
Contract language limiting Gemini's use may set precedents for ethical AI deployment in defense applications.
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