# Court Upholds Pentagon's Right to Blacklist Anthropic Over AI Features Appeals court supports military's stance on AI model constraints. - **Source:** [Ars Technica - All content](https://brifing.si/source/b728770c-8dda-457a-8986-84879c9fc42c) - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a61f8849-affa-429c-a207-2bb82449d04c ## Court backs Pentagon's decision A US appeals court has upheld the Department of Defense's authority to blacklist Anthropic for withholding certain AI features from military use. The court emphasized the need to balance risks associated with AI constraints in military operations. This ruling reinforces the Pentagon's stance on ensuring AI reliability in critical defense applications. ## Anthropic's AI features questioned The court highlighted concerns over Anthropic's AI models potentially hallucinating inappropriate targets for lethal military force. This issue raises significant ethical and operational challenges for integrating AI into defense systems. The ruling underscores the importance of stringent AI safety measures in military contexts. ## Trump administration's role The Trump administration initiated the blacklisting process, citing national security concerns. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth played a crucial role in determining the balance of risks associated with AI use in military operations. The court found no constitutional violations in their actions. ## Judicial panel's perspective A 2-1 ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit addressed the profound questions surrounding military AI use. The panel acknowledged the unprecedented power of AI technology and its implications for national security. Their decision reflects a cautious approach to AI integration in defense. ## Emergency motion denied Earlier in April, the same court denied Anthropic's emergency motion for a stay, indicating a consistent judicial stance on the matter. This denial paved the way for the recent ruling, reinforcing the Pentagon's position on AI constraints in military applications. ## Supply Chain Security Act cited The court referenced the Supply Chain Security Act, affirming that the Defense Secretary's actions did not exceed legal limits. This act provides a framework for addressing risks associated with technology supply chains, particularly in defense contexts. ## Implications for AI developers This ruling sets a precedent for AI developers working with military applications, emphasizing the need for compliance with national security standards. It highlights the potential consequences of withholding critical AI features from defense use. ## Future of military AI integration The court's decision underscores the ongoing debate over AI's role in military operations. It calls for a balanced approach to leveraging AI's capabilities while mitigating risks. This ruling may influence future policies and collaborations between AI developers and defense agencies. ## Sources covering this story - https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/court-rules-trump-can-blacklist-anthropic-for-refusing-to-enable-claude-features/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._