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. hiddencost · 1790354488 · focus · HN ↗

      No. This also means that no companies that work with th DoD can use anthropic models for any purpose.

      1. VWWHFSfQ · 1790354726 · focus · HN ↗

         Dario wanted to sell a $200 million chat bot to the US military and also dictate how it could be used. The government said no. And because of that Claude also cannot be deployed to the GenAI.mil AI infrastructure. This means that any sensitive work for the DoD that uses Claude will go through Anthropic's infrastructure, not the US military-hosted backend.

         So yes obviously defense contractors are forbidden to use it.

         1. tmvphil · 1790355223 · focus · HN ↗

            If the government wanted to put iPhones in missiles, and apple said "we won't sell you iPhones to put in missiles" would the correct government response be to say "no government contractor can ever use an iPhone".

            1. rayiner · 1790356135 · focus · HN ↗

               Sure why not? The government is just exercising its power as a purchaser.

               1. scottyah · 1790357710 · focus · HN ↗

                  They are not "just a purchaser" though. It's the world's most powerful organization that is funded by the people and is supposed to be for the people. I'm all for businesses making FAFO decisions, but expect a lot more here.

                  1. rayiner · 1790358282 · focus · HN ↗

                     The fact that it’s a publicly funded entity is more reason for it to adopt hardball tactics, not less. It’s similar to FDR’s comments on public sector unions. When the government is the buyer, it’s even more important to get the best deal and terms possible, because it’s the public’s money’s you’re spending and the public’s interest you’re serving.

                     1. s1artibartfast · 1790415964 · focus · HN ↗

                        There are limits.

                        I bet they could get a better deals if the military went and started taking hostages to aid in price negotiation.

                        After all, getting the best price is in the public interest.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.