Anthropic Urged to Stand Up to Trump Administration Threats to Take AI Tech for US Military
Australian Financial Review
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Details
- Date Published
- 25 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 4
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 25 Feb 2026, 01:30 pm
Description
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to invoke wartime powers against Anthropic that would force it to hand over its technologies for military use.
Summary
The article highlights a significant geopolitical tension involving the Trump administration's threats to use wartime powers to commandeer Anthropic's advanced AI technologies for military purposes. Toby Walsh, a prominent AI scientist from the University of New South Wales, urges Anthropic to resist these demands, emphasizing the need for global regulations on AI in warfare. This situation underscores the growing concerns over state-driven appropriation of AI innovations, with implications for both existential risks and international AI governance norms. The stance taken by Australia for international frameworks suggests a potential global policy shift towards better managing the military use of AI.
Body
PoliticsFederalAIPrint articleRonald MizenPolitical correspondentFeb 25, 2026 – 5.25pmArtificial intelligence behemoth Anthropic should stand up to the Trump administration’s demands that it hand over novel technologies for military use, and Australia should advocate for global rules on artificial intelligence in warfare, one of Australia’s top AI scientists says.University of NSW AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh labelled the administration “bullies” after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to invoke wartime powers against Anthropic that would force the $537 billion AI firm to hand over its powerful technology.Loading...Ronald Mizen is the Financial Review’s political correspondent, reporting from the press gallery at Parliament House, Canberra. Connect with Ronald on Twitter. Email Ronald at ronald.mizen@afr.comSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreAIDefenceGoogleFacebookOpenAIAnthropicAndrew CharltonEd HusicFetching latest articles