Thread

1. petcat · 1790353704 · focus · HN ↗

   I still don't fully understand what this was about. It sounds like the DoD said they wanted unrestricted access to Anthropic's models, Anthropic refused, so the Pentagon declared that they wouldn't use them at all.

   Isn't this basically what Anthropic wanted?

   1. HarHarVeryFunny · 1790354633 · focus · HN ↗

      Evidentially not - Anthropic want to do business with the US military, but on their own terms, telling the military what they can and cannot use it for.

      1. hardbass · 1790354916 · focus · HN ↗

         Is that a problem? Are there any special rules (genuinely curious) that allow the military to hijack the management of a private firm?

         1. ThunderSizzle · 1790355374 · focus · HN ↗

            I think the answer is the military finds another vendor willing to deal, or move it in house.

            It's not like Anthropic will be nationalized any more than the bankrupted auto companies of 2008.

            1. hardbass · 1790355496 · focus · HN ↗

               I don't care what the military does. This is pure thuggery and abuse of the rights of private firms. Any time you contract with the government and they don't like your terms, will they designate you a threat?

               1. rayiner · 1790356064 · focus · HN ↗

                  In this context, that designation just means that the DOD won’t use your product and it’s suppliers can’t use your product for DOD-facing activity. That’s not “thuggery” it’s something any buyer can do. Walmart or whatever could do it too.

                  1. s1artibartfast · 1790414845 · focus · HN ↗

                     I think it is thuggery. If DOD doesn't want to use anthropic as vendor, thats fine.

                     Prohibiting contractors and departments from using it to produce products well within anthropic terms of service has no risk.

                     It is petty retaliation and strong arming.

                     Imagine if Ford said they weren't interested in building tanks, and then the DoD said employees and contractors can't use Ford for any purpose, because they are a supply chain risk

                     1. ThunderSizzle · 1790419503 · focus · HN ↗

                        If Ford told the DoD you can't use the tanks they bought however they need to, and had a kill switch in it in case they wanted to cut the DoD off, then that would obviously be a supply chain risk.

                        The military and it's suppliers need mitigate risk, and that includes suppliers intentionally causing harm to soldiers on the front lines, or in the backend logistics supply chain.

                        Honestly, every company should be treating Anthropic and OpenAI as supply chain risks, and should completely avoid dealing with them.

                        1. Timon3 · 1790426520 · focus · HN ↗

                           > If Ford told the DoD you can't use the tanks they bought however they need to, and had a kill switch in it in case they wanted to cut the DoD off, then that would obviously be a supply chain risk.

                           This is a misrepresentation of the situation. Anthropic did NOT sell something to the DoD and then restrict usage - the DoD purchased their offering fully aware of this clause.

                           1. ThunderSizzle · 1790464367 · focus · HN ↗

                              The ability by the supplier is the problem, regardless of there is an upfront clause or not. The upfront clause is the problem

                              1. s1artibartfast · 1790467990 · focus · HN ↗

                                 That's true for every company and every individual involved with the dod. They can all put guns or pencils down and refuse at a future date for a unspecified reason.

                                 That has nothing to do with supply chain risk designation. That comes from sabotage

                        2. s1artibartfast · 1790434642 · focus · HN ↗

                           They won't because Trumps family has billions invested in OpenAI.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.