The Pentagon said it plans to deploy artificial intelligence systems across both classified and unclassified military networks.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the strategy during a speech at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas.
Hegseth said the Department of Defense aims to become “an AI-first warfighting force across all domains”.
He argued that artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, quantum technology and hypersonics will define future military power.
Simply put, the United States must win the strategic competition for 21st century technological supremacy.
Pete Hegseth said.
The Pentagon plans to integrate xAI’s Grok model into its GenAI.mil platform alongside tools from major technology firms.
Very soon, we will have the world’s leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department.
Hegseth said.
He said the move was intended to maintain US military advantages as AI capabilities spread globally.
In modern warfare, the fastest innovator and iterator will be the winner.
Hegseth said.
SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk said Starbase was part of a long-term effort to make deep space travel a reality.
We want to make Star Trek real.
Elon Musk said.
Civil society group Public Citizen criticised the decision to integrate Grok into Pentagon systems.
Allowing an AI system with Grok’s track record to access classified military data raises profound national security concerns.
J.B. Branch said.
Hegseth dismissed the criticism and said the Pentagon would judge AI models on security, accuracy and legal compliance.
The Department of Defense also plans to restructure its data infrastructure to support AI-driven, multi-domain operations including space.