Anthropic Launches Advisory Council to Guide AI in U.S. Government

Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) research company, has announced the formation of its National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council. This 11-member council comprises former U.S. senators, intelligence officials, and security experts, including Roy Blunt, David S. Cohen, and Richard Fontaine. The council's primary objective is to guide Anthropic in integrating AI technologies into U.S. government operations, focusing on areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and scientific research. Additionally, the council aims to establish ethical and security standards for responsible AI use within the public sector.

This initiative follows Anthropic's recent $200 million agreement with the Pentagon to develop AI tools for defense applications. In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded contracts valued at up to $200 million each to Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and xAI. These contracts aim to enhance the DoD's use of advanced AI capabilities and develop agentic AI workflows to address national security challenges. The initiative is part of a broader push by U.S. government agencies to expand AI adoption.

Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, including siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, Anthropic is an American AI research company headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company has developed a family of large language models named Claude, designed to prioritize safety and reliability. Anthropic operates as a public-benefit corporation, balancing financial interests with its mission to develop AI for the long-term benefit of humanity.

The formation of the National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council signifies a growing collaboration between AI companies and government entities, aiming to integrate advanced technologies into public sector operations responsibly. This partnership raises important considerations regarding ethical standards, security protocols, and the potential impact of AI on national security and public policy.

Anthropic's establishment of the National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council, coupled with its significant contract with the Pentagon, marks a pivotal step in the integration of AI technologies into U.S. government operations. This collaboration underscores the critical role of AI in national security and the importance of ethical standards in its deployment.