The Department of War has authorized eight tech firms, including OpenAI and NVIDIA, to deploy artificial intelligence across its most secure secret and top-secret networks.
In a decisive move to secure American digital hegemony, the Pentagon has authorized eight premier technology firms to deploy artificial intelligence across the nation’s most sensitive classified networks. The announcement marks a significant escalation in Secretary Pete Hegseth’s initiative to transform the United States military into an AI-first fighting force, prioritizing decision superiority in an increasingly contested global landscape.
The initial cohort includes Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, SpaceX, NVIDIA, and the NVIDIA-backed startup Reflection. Oracle was added to the roster later on May 1 following a public confirmation from the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer. These firms are now cleared for Impact Level 6 (IL6) and Impact Level 7 (IL7) environments, which handle secret and top-secret data respectively. This strategic integration aims to streamline data synthesis and enhance situational awareness for warfighters operating in complex theaters.
Notably absent from the list is Anthropic. Despite its Claude AI previously being utilized via Palantir’s Maven toolkit, the firm has been sidelined following a refusal to comply with specific “lawful use” mandates. Pentagon CTO Emil Michael, speaking on CNBC, emphasized that the Department—now frequently referred to by the Trump administration as the “Department of War”—will not remain beholden to any single partner, particularly those hesitant to fully align with national security requirements. Michael noted that the current strategy emphasizes a diversity of supply, incorporating both proprietary models and open-source alternatives.
The exclusion of Anthropic highlights a growing friction between Silicon Valley’s ideological holdouts and the federal government’s demand for reliable defense partners. While the National Security Agency is reportedly testing Anthropic’s Mythos model for cyber warfare capabilities, the broader Department of War appears focused on firms willing to commit to the mission of American sovereignty without reservation.
This expansion builds upon the GenAI.mil platform established in December, moving beyond unclassified administrative tasks into the heart of tactical and strategic intelligence. By leveraging the infrastructure of companies like Microsoft and AWS alongside the specialized hardware of NVIDIA, the Pentagon is positioning the U.S. to outpace adversaries in the “New Cold War” of algorithmic warfare. While specific deployment timelines and contract values remain undisclosed, the shift toward commercial AI integration on classified systems represents a fundamental pivot in how the constitutional values of the United States will be defended in the digital age.
Ryan Mitchell serves as a Staff Writer for Just Right News, where he anchors the desk for Cyber, Technology Policy, and Digital Sovereignty. In an era where the digital landscape has become as much a battlefield as any physical territory, Ryan provides a critical conservative lens on the forces shaping the future of American innovation and national security. His work is defined by a commitment to the idea that American leadership in the digital age is not just a matter of economic success, but a necessity for the preservation of global liberty.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Ryan’s perspective is deeply rooted in the Lone Star State’s tradition of independence and skepticism of centralized authority. Growing up in a city that transformed from a quiet state capital into a global technology hub, he witnessed firsthand the disruptive power of the tech industry. This upbringing instilled in him a firm belief in free-market principles and the necessity of protecting individual liberties from both government overreach and corporate overstep. His Texan background serves as a foundational compass, guiding his reporting toward stories that emphasize national resilience and the preservation of constitutional values in an increasingly virtual world.
Now based in San Francisco, California, Ryan operates from the epicenter of the very industry he scrutinizes. Living and working in the heart of Silicon Valley allows him to provide “boots on the ground” reporting that few conservative journalists can match. He navigates the cultural and political complexities of the Bay Area to bring Just Right News readers an inside look at the boardrooms and coding labs where the next generation of digital policy is forged. For Ryan, being stationed in San Francisco is a strategic choice; it allows him to challenge the prevailing ideological monoculture of the tech elite from within their own backyard, ensuring that the concerns of middle America are represented in the conversation about our digital future.
His beat—Cyber, Technology Policy, and Digital Sovereignty—covers the high-stakes world of data privacy, artificial intelligence, and the infrastructure of the modern web. Ryan is particularly focused on the concept of digital sovereignty, arguing that for a nation to remain truly free, it must maintain control over its own technological destiny and critical infrastructure. He frequently explores how international regulations and domestic policies impact the ability of American firms to compete without sacrificing the privacy or security of their citizens.
Central to his current body of work is his featured series, “The New Cold War.” Through this project, Ryan examines the escalating technological rivalry between the United States and its global adversaries. He delves into the complexities of state-sponsored hacking, the global race for semiconductor dominance, and the ideological struggle to define the rules of the internet. Ryan views this competition not merely as a commercial race, but as a fundamental defense of Western values against authoritarian digital models. Through his rigorous reporting and principled analysis, Ryan Mitchell ensures that the readers of Just Right News stay informed about the invisible forces defining the 21st century, always advocating for a future where technology serves the cause of freedom.