A new report claims that the leading artificial intelligence companies have transitioned over the past couple of years from opposing the use of artificial intelligence by global militaries to openly partnering with the U.S. military on the advancement of artificial intelligence.
A Wired report adapted from Nick Srnicek’s new book, titled “Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI,” shows how artificial intelligence companies transitioned from opposing military use of artificial intelligence tools to partnering with the U.S. military on numerous artificial intelligence projects, tools, and programs.
According to Srnicek’s new book, Google, Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic were opposed to the military using artificial intelligence tools developed by each of their companies prior to 2024; however, during 2024 and throughout 2025, the companies started to partner with the U.S. military to provide artificial intelligence services and tools for military use.
CNBC reported in January of 2024 that OpenAI removed its ban on the use of artificial intelligence for “military and warfare” purposes. The outlet noted that OpenAI had previously banned the use of its technology for “activity that has high risk of physical harm,” such as military activity. Srnicek explained that after removing its ban, OpenAI began working with the Pentagon on “a number of projects.” At the end of 2024, OpenAI announced it would be partnering with Anduril Industries, an American defense technology company.
READ MORE: Artificial intelligence ‘revolution’ advancing US Air Force
Srnicek noted that in November of 2024, Meta announced that the U.S. military and U.S. allies would be allowed to use its Llama artificial intelligence platform for defense purposes. Within days of Meta’s announcement, Anthropic made a similar announcement and confirmed that it would be partnering with Palantir, a defense company. Srnicek added that in February of 2025, Google also changed its artificial intelligence policies to allow artificial intelligence to be used for military purposes.
Srincek suggested that one of the reasons behind the sudden partnership between artificial intelligence companies and the U.S. military is that military funding provides a way for the companies to obtain large investments, which are needed to establish the massive artificial intelligence platforms.
Srnicek cited David J. Teece, a professor of business and public policy, who previously stated, “GPTs develop faster when there’s a large, demanding, and income-generating application sector, such as the US Defense Department’s purchases of early transistors and microprocessors.”
In his book, Srnicek also highlighted how major technology companies have worked to become more aligned with the U.S. military and other national security agencies across the globe by establishing major partnerships and deals in recent years.
