Axios: Iran-linked groups used Claude AI to track US Navy ships

Iran-linked groups used Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence system to gather information on US Navy ships, as well as to conduct propaganda and intelligence operations, Axios reports, citing findings from the company.

According to the report, one of the groups used Claude to analyze publicly available data, including information on the locations of ships, satellite imagery and photographs of military facilities. The AI was also used to create materials for tracking US military personnel and analyzing potential vulnerabilities in military infrastructure.

Other Iran-linked users employed Claude to conduct propaganda campaigns. The AI helped generate multilingual content, fabricated personas and materials that were subsequently distributed across various social media platforms.

The report also details the use of Claude in internal surveillance systems and for developing various digital tools. Anthropic said that after identifying the misuse, it blocked the accounts linked to the operations and shared information with relevant government authorities.

The company stressed that such cases demonstrate how modern AI systems can be used by governments and affiliated groups to expand traditional intelligence, propaganda and surveillance capabilities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada