The Centre for AI Standards and Innovation at the Department of Commerce said on Tuesday that the agreement would allow it to evaluate the models before deployment and conduct research ​to assess their capabilities and security risks.

The agreement underscores growing concern in Washington ​over the national security risks posed by powerful AI systems. By ⁠securing early access to frontier models, US officials are aiming to identify threats ranging ​from cyberattacks to military misuse before the tools are widely deployed.

The development of advanced AI ​systems, including Anthropic’s Mythos, has in recent weeks created a stir globally, including among US officials and corporate America, over their ability to supercharge hackers.

“Independent, rigorous measurement science is essential to understanding frontier AI ​and its national security implications,” CAISI Director Chris Fall said in a statement.

The move ​builds on agreements with OpenAI and Anthropic, established in 2024 under the Biden administration when CAISI ‌was known ⁠as the US Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute.

CAISI, which serves as the government’s main hub for AI model testing, said it had already completed more than 40 evaluations, including on cutting-edge models not yet available to the public.

Developers frequently hand over versions of their ​models with safety guardrails ​stripped back so ⁠the centre can probe for national security risks, the agency said.

Microsoft and xAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Google ​declined to comment.

Last week, the Pentagon said it had reached agreements ​with seven ⁠AI companies to deploy their advanced capabilities on the Defence Department’s classified networks as it seeks to broaden the range of AI providers working across the military.

The Pentagon announcement did ⁠not ​include Anthropic, which has been embroiled in a dispute with the Pentagon over guardrails on the military’s use of its AI tools.