Are You a Spy? Anthropic Has a New AI Model for You

OpenAI competitor Anthropic, which makes the Claude chatbot, is rolling out a new set of AI models built specifically for US national security use cases.

Governments using these types of large language models for national security is nothing new; both OpenAI and Anthropic’s tech is already used by the US government. Meanwhile, governments farther afield, including Israel, have allegedly used US-made AI models, directly or indirectly (though some of these claims have been denied).

Anthropic says the new models—which come as part of its government-focused offering Claude Gov—will provide benefits like improved handling of classified materials and a greater understanding of documents and information “within the intelligence and defense contexts.”

The Amazon-backed AI start-up also said that the new models will provide “enhanced proficiency” in languages and dialects that are important to US national security operations, though it didn’t specify those languages.

The models are also set to offer improved “understanding and interpretation” of cybersecurity data for intelligence analysts.

But if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to try out a lot of these AI-for-spies models yourself. Anthropic says access to these models is limited to “those who operate in such classified environments.”

Anthropic has been fairly public about its desire to build closer links to intelligence services. Just last month, the start-up submitted a 10-page document to the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) arguing that “Classified communication channels between AI labs and intelligence agencies” could help the US deal with national security threats, while calling for “expedited security clearances for industry professionals.”

But Big AI, increasingly linking up with national security interests, has attracted some high-profile detractors. Famed whistleblower Edward Snowden dubbed OpenAI’s decision last year to appoint retired US Army General and NSA Director Paul Nakasone to a senior position within the company a “willful, calculated betrayal.”

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About Will McCurdy

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I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.

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