Emil Michael, who first made his name in Silicon Valley as a key player for the ride-sharing giant Uber, has now switched sides. In his current role as a senior official at the Pentagon, he is taking a leading position in the defense department’s contentious dispute with artificial intelligence company Anthropic.
The negotiations center on how the military can use Anthropic’s advanced AI models. The talks have reached a standstill, primarily over the company’s firm stance on preventing its technology from being used for mass surveillance of Americans or for powering fully autonomous weapons. The disagreement escalated recently when the Pentagon formally notified Anthropic that it considers the company a supply chain risk—a designation usually reserved for foreign adversaries.
This high-stakes situation has allowed Michael to employ the same aggressive tactics that defined his tenure as a top executive at Uber. The standoff highlights a growing divide between the defense establishment and a significant portion of the tech industry, where many are deeply concerned about the military applications of AI.
Even as he spars with Anthropic, Michael is also working to build positive relationships with other technology firms. Since taking his post, he has reportedly met with hundreds of companies in an effort to accelerate the military’s adoption of AI. The goal is to get the best technology into the government’s hands and broaden the range of contractors the Pentagon typically works with.
Michael has maintained his direct ties to the investment community, including some who back Anthropic. In recent private conversations, he has reportedly shared the government’s perspective on the negotiations.
Publicly, Michael has been highly critical of Anthropic and its CEO, Dario Amodei, even accusing him of having a “God-complex.” At a recent industry summit, Michael suggested that the issues with an unnamed AI vendor were severe, claiming the company had pushed for “dozens of restrictions” even while its models were integrated into some of the military’s most sensitive systems.
His fiery approach in government echoes his reputation from his time at Uber, where he was known as a formidable operator who helped transform the company into a global powerhouse. He oversaw massive fundraising efforts and international expansion, though his tenure was also marked by controversy. He was ultimately ousted following an investigation into the company’s workplace culture.
Despite his controversial past, some see value in having a seasoned business operator like Michael in a key government role, arguing that the Pentagon needs leaders who truly understand the complex world of technology.
