Former head of ‘Pentagon’s think tank’ joins Anthropic - Defense One

The former head of the Defense Department's Office of Net Assessment has joined Anthropic as a 'strategist-in-residence,' according to a report from Defense One. The Office of Net Assessment is often described as the Pentagon's internal think tank. The appointment was announced in early May 2026.

In his new role, the former official will lead analysis of how artificial intelligence is affecting U.S. institutions and competition with China. The company has emphasized safety and responsible development as core to its mission.

The move represents a transfer of expertise from government strategic planning to the private AI sector. It is not uncommon for former senior defense officials to join technology companies, particularly those with government contracts or national security implications. The appointment positions Anthropic to deepen its understanding of geopolitical dynamics and institutional impacts of AI.