Anthropic has established a National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council to enhance its collaboration with U.S. government entities as artificial intelligence increasingly influences defense and strategic operations. This initiative follows a $200 million contract with the Pentagon, aimed at developing AI tools for defense applications. The council comprises prominent former officials from various government sectors and will focus on high-impact areas such as cybersecurity and intelligence analysis. This move underscores the competitive landscape of AI development, as the U.S. seeks to maintain an edge over global rivals like China and Russia, while ensuring that AI technologies align with democratic values and security standards.