The United States government has confirmed that Grok, the artificial intelligence model developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, was used to support military operations during recent strikes against Iran.
The revelation emerged through a legal filing by the U.S. Department of Justice, which referenced the role of Grok in supporting national security operations carried out by the Pentagon. According to testimony from senior U.S. defence officials, the AI system was integrated into Project Maven, the military’s AI-assisted targeting programme.
Pentagon AI officials stated that the technology helped support military planning and targeting processes during Operation Epic Fury, a campaign in which more than 2,000 munitions were reportedly deployed against approximately 2,000 targets within a 96-hour period. Officials credited the system with improving operational efficiency and accelerating decision-making.
According to the court filing, Grok replaced earlier AI systems used by the military after changes in the Pentagon’s AI partnerships. The filing described the technology as supporting critical national security missions and highlighted its growing role in modern military operations.
The disclosure has sparked debate among technology experts, human rights advocates, and defence analysts over the increasing use of artificial intelligence in warfare. Critics have raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the ethical implications of using AI-assisted systems in military targeting decisions.
While Pentagon officials emphasized that AI tools assist human decision-makers rather than operate independently, the revelation underscores the expanding role of advanced AI technologies in modern combat and intelligence operations.
The development also places Elon Musk’s xAI at the centre of discussions about the future of artificial intelligence, defence technology, and national security as governments increasingly adopt AI-powered systems for strategic and military applications.