AI-Powered "Autonomous Warfare" Has Already Begun; Anthropic’s Clash With the Pentagon Highlights the Risks of Autonomous AI Weapons

Anthropic reportedly refused U.S. Defense Department contract terms that could support surveillance or autonomous killing, highlighting a widening split over military AI.

Other AI companies are more open to defense work, making the debate over fully autonomous weapons more visible in real-world procurement.

The Verge points to Project Maven, drone operations in Ukraine, and DoD Directive 3000.09 as evidence that AI-driven warfare is already underway.

The dispute underscores a growing policy and ethical fight over weapons that can select targets without human intervention.