RismadarVoice Reporters, June 17, 2026
The United States government has disclosed that Grok, the artificial intelligence model developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, was utilised in military operations targeting Iran, according to court documents filed by federal authorities.
The revelation emerged in a legal brief submitted on June 15 as part of an ongoing environmental lawsuit involving xAI’s data centre operations. The case centres on gas-powered turbines used to supply energy to a major xAI facility, which environmental advocates argue are operating without the required permits.
In its filing, the U.S. Department of Justice defended the continued operation of the turbines, arguing that disrupting power to the facility could have implications for national security, economic interests, and the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies supporting military activities.
To support its position, federal prosecutors cited testimony from Cameron Stanley, the Pentagon’s chief artificial intelligence officer. In a sworn statement, Stanley confirmed that Grok has been integrated into Project Maven, the U.S. military’s AI-driven targeting initiative.
According to the testimony, Maven Smart Systems helped American forces identify and engage thousands of military targets within a short period during a recent operation known as “Operation Epic Fury.” Stanley credited the Grok Gov Model with enhancing operational efficiency and improving mission execution.
The disclosure comes amid growing debate over the role of artificial intelligence in warfare. Project Maven was previously associated with AI systems developed by Anthropic, but government contracts with the company reportedly ended after disagreements over the use of AI in fully autonomous military actions and large-scale surveillance activities.
Following that decision, the Pentagon expanded its engagement with other leading AI developers, including xAI, Google, and OpenAI, as part of its efforts to strengthen military AI capabilities.
Meanwhile, civil rights organisation NAACP is pursuing legal action against xAI, alleging that dozens of turbines operating at the company’s facility violate environmental regulations and contribute to pollution in predominantly Black communities. The company maintains that the turbines are temporary and mobile units that are exempt from the permitting requirements cited in the lawsuit.
The military’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence has also generated concerns within the technology industry. Hundreds of employees at major technology firms have previously expressed opposition to the use of advanced AI systems in classified military operations, citing ethical and security considerations.
The latest court filing offers one of the clearest confirmations yet that advanced commercial AI models are already playing a significant role in modern military operations, highlighting the growing intersection between technology companies and national defence programs.
The disclosure also comes months after Musk merged xAI with SpaceX, further expanding the billionaire entrepreneur’s influence across both the technology and aerospace sectors.
