Google Reportedly Signs Confidential AI Agreement with U.S. Department of Defense
Sources say Google, under Alphabet, has joined the growing number of tech companies signing agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense to utilize its artificial intelligence models for confidential work. The agreement reportedly allows the Pentagon to use Google's AI for "any lawful government purpose," placing it alongside companies like OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI, which have also reached agreements to provide AI models for classified uses.
Confidential networks are used to process a variety of sensitive tasks, including mission planning and weapon target identification.
The U.S. Department of Defense signed agreements worth up to $200 million with several major AI labs in 2025, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google.
Google’s agreement requires it to assist in adjusting the company’s AI safety settings and filters at the government’s request.
The report notes that the contract includes a clause stating, “Both parties agree that the AI systems are not intended for, nor should they be used without appropriate human supervision and control for, domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons (including target selection),” but also adds that, “the agreement does not grant any right to control or veto decisions regarding lawful government actions.”
A Google Public Sector spokesperson responsible for U.S. government affairs stated that the new agreement is a revision of its existing contract.