HTTP Statement on Responsible and Ethical Government Use of Artificial Intelligence
Recent developments surrounding Anthropic’s position on the use of its AI systems in military and national security contexts highlight a broader and urgent issue: the need for clear guardrails governing how advanced artificial intelligence is deployed by government agencies.
As an organization committed to the responsible development and use of emerging technologies, HTTP believes that AI systems–especially those with advanced autonomous capabilities must be deployed within transparent and accountable frameworks. Without such frameworks, the swift adoption of AI in defense, intelligence, and law enforcement operations presents a significant threat to our civil liberties and harbors the potential to further erode public trust in our institutions.
Private sector decisions to set limits on how their technologies are used reflect the reality that current governance structures for advanced AI remain incomplete. While innovation and national security are important priorities, they must be balanced with safeguards that protect underserved communities from unintended harm, misuse, bias, or overreach. To ensure both sustainable and trusted innovation, it is essential to proactively implement clear use policies, robust independent oversight mechanisms, and effective public accountability.
We urge policymakers to establish comprehensive, responsible, and ethical standards for the government’s procurement and deployment of AI systems. These standards should include transparency requirements, risk assessments, human- centered controls for high-stakes applications, and strong protections for civil rights and privacy. Federal leadership is essential to ensure that advanced AI tools are used in ways that uphold democratic values and maintain public trust.
Artificial intelligence will increasingly shape public life. The question is not whether the government will use AI, but how. Now is the time to put durable safeguards in place that ensure innovation strengthens both national security and the rights and safety of the communities it is meant to serve.
HTTP stands ready to work with policymakers, agencies, industry leaders, and civil society to ensure that advanced AI systems are deployed in ways that safeguard both national security and civil liberties.
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