Anthropic vs. the Pentagon, the SaaSpocalypse, and why competition is good, actually
On this episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts discuss the Pentagon designating Anthropic a supply-chain risk after the two failed to agree on how much control the military should have over its AI models. With Anthropic's $200 million contract falling apart, the Department of Defense turned to OpenAI, which then saw ChatGPT uninstalls surge 295%. The episode also covers other startup and tech headlines of the week.
Key Takeaways
- Equity breaks down the Pentagon's split with Anthropic over AI control, OpenAI's role in defense tech, and the week's biggest startup and tech headlines.
- As the stakes keep rising, the question remains: how much unrestricted access should the military have to an AI model?
On this episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O'Kane dig into what startups should think about when chasing federal contracts, especially when nobody seems to know what to do with AI in Washington, and more of the week's headlines.
- You also can follow Equity on X and Threads , at @EquityPod.
Theresa Loconsolo Audio Producer Theresa Loconsolo is an audio producer at TechCrunch focusing on Equity, the network's flagship podcast.
- She is currently the transportation editor at TechCrunch and co-host of TechCrunch's Equity podcast.
She is also co-founder and co-host of the podcast, "The Autonocast."
- Most recently, he was a reporter at Bloomberg News where he helped break stories about some of the most notorious EV SPAC flops.
Stats & Key Facts
- #With Anthropic's $200 million contract falling apart, the Department of Defense turned to OpenAI, which then saw ChatGPT uninstalls surge 295%.
- #Theresa Loconsolo , Kirsten Korosec , Anthony Ha , Sean O'Kane Mar 6, 2026 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify The Pentagon has officially designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk after the two failed to agree on how much control the military should have over its AI models, including its use in autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance.
- #As Anthropic's $200 million contract fell apart, the DoD turned to OpenAI instead, which accepted and then watched ChatGPT uninstalls surge 295% .
- #Listen to the full episode to hear more about: Paramount's massive deal with Warner Bros, and the Equity crew's ideas for what the new HBO Max-Paramount+ hybrid should be called MyFitnessPal's acquisition of Cal AI , the calorie-tracking app built by teenagers Who dropped $1 billion on Pinterest's AI mission and how the company spent it on share buybacks.
Equity breaks down the Pentagon's split with Anthropic over AI control, OpenAI's role in defense tech, and the week's biggest startup and tech headlines. Theresa Loconsolo , Kirsten Korosec , Anthony Ha , Sean O'Kane Mar 6, 2026 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify The Pentagon has officially designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk after the two failed to agree on how much control the military should have over its AI models, including its use in autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance. As Anthropic's $200 million contract fell apart, the DoD turned to OpenAI instead, which accepted and then watched ChatGPT uninstalls surge 295% .
As the stakes keep rising, the question remains: how much unrestricted access should the military have to an AI model? On this episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O'Kane dig into what startups should think about when chasing federal contracts, especially when nobody seems to know what to do with AI in Washington, and more of the week's headlines. Listen to the full episode to hear more about: Paramount's massive deal with Warner Bros, and the Equity crew's ideas for what the new HBO Max-Paramount+ hybrid should be called MyFitnessPal's acquisition of Cal AI , the calorie-tracking app built by teenagers Who dropped $1 billion on Pinterest's AI mission and how the company spent it on share buybacks.
(Spoiler: Kirsten has thoughts.) You also can follow Equity on X and Threads , at @EquityPod.
For more details please read the original article at TechCrunch M&A.
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