OpenAI and Google Employees Defend Anthropic in DOD Lawsuit

More than 30 employees from top AI firms file brief supporting Anthropic's fight against Pentagon's 'supply chain risk' designation.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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More than 30 employees from OpenAI and Google DeepMind, including Google DeepMind's chief scientist Jeff Dean, have filed an amicus brief in support of Anthropic's lawsuit against the U.S. Defense Department. The DOD had labeled Anthropic a 'supply chain risk' after the AI firm refused to allow the Pentagon to use its technology for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. The employees argue the DOD's actions were 'improper and arbitrary' and will harm U.S. competitiveness in AI.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing tensions between the tech industry and the government over the use of AI technology. Anthropic's stance on not allowing its AI to be used for surveillance or weapons has put it at odds with the DOD, which wants unrestricted access. The support from top AI researchers shows the industry is rallying behind Anthropic's position on the responsible development of AI.

The details

The amicus brief filed by the OpenAI and Google DeepMind employees argues that if the DOD was unsatisfied with Anthropic's contract terms, it could have simply canceled the deal rather than designating the company a 'supply chain risk.' The brief also states that this effort to 'punish' Anthropic will harm U.S. competitiveness in AI. Shortly after labeling Anthropic a risk, the DOD signed a deal with OpenAI, which some of its employees protested.

  • On March 9, 2026, more than 30 OpenAI and Google DeepMind employees filed an amicus brief supporting Anthropic's lawsuit against the U.S. Defense Department.
  • Late last week, the Pentagon labeled Anthropic a 'supply chain risk' after the AI firm refused to allow the DOD to use its technology for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.

The players

Anthropic

An AI research company that has refused to allow the U.S. Defense Department to use its technology for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.

U.S. Defense Department

The federal agency that labeled Anthropic a 'supply chain risk' after the company refused to comply with the DOD's demands to use its AI technology for certain purposes.

Jeff Dean

The chief scientist at Google DeepMind, one of the employees who signed the amicus brief in support of Anthropic.

OpenAI

An AI research company whose employees signed the amicus brief in support of Anthropic.

Google DeepMind

An AI research company whose employees, including the chief scientist Jeff Dean, signed the amicus brief in support of Anthropic.

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What’s next

The court will now consider the arguments made in the amicus brief as it evaluates Anthropic's lawsuits against the Defense Department and other federal agencies.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between the tech industry and the government over the responsible development and use of AI technology. Anthropic's stance on not allowing its AI to be used for surveillance or weapons has put it at odds with the DOD, but the support from top AI researchers shows the industry is rallying behind Anthropic's position.