Alphabet’s Google has joined a growing number of technology companies that have signed agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense to use its artificial intelligence models for classified work, according to people familiar with the matter. The agreement allows the Pentagon to use Google's artificial intelligence for "any legitimate government use," sources said, putting it alongside companies such as OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI, which have also struck deals with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide artificial intelligence models for classified uses.
The classified network handles a variety of sensitive tasks, including mission planning and weapons targeting.
The U.S. Department of Defense signed agreements worth up to US$200 million with a number of large artificial intelligence laboratories in 2025, including Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.
Google’s agreement requires it to help adjust the company’s AI security settings and filters at the government’s request.
The report states that the contract contains a clause that states: “The parties agree that artificial intelligence systems are not intended to be used for, and shall not be used for, domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons (including targeting) without appropriate human oversight and control,” but also adds that “the agreement does not confer any authority to control or veto decisions regarding lawful government actions.”
A spokesperson for Google’s public sector agency responsible for U.S. government affairs said the new agreement is an amendment to its existing contract.