# Google signed a classified AI deal with the Pentagon for “any lawful government purpose” one day after 580+ employees urged Pichai to refuse.

*genai · news · 2026-04-28 · TNW*

## Key points

- Google signed a classified AI deal with the Pentagon allowing 'any lawful government purpose' use of Gemini.
- The Pentagon can modify Gemini's AI safety settings and content filters under the contract's terms.
- Google withdrew from a $100M Pentagon drone swarm challenge after an internal ethics review in February 2026.
- In February 2025, Google removed its public AI principles banning weapons and surveillance work.
- Europe’s defence tech is embedding use restrictions directly in technology, unlike Google's advisory-only approach.

**Companies:** Google, OpenAI, Palantir, Anthropic
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on TNW](https://thenextweb.com/news/google-classified-ai-pentagon-drone-swarm-exit)

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