WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Emil Michael, now a senior technology official at the Department of Defense, has reignited debate over his controversial exit from Uber and his ongoing clash with Anthropic. In a newly released podcast interview, Michael spoke candidly about his past and present battles. He expressed lasting resentment toward Uber investors who forced him and former CEO Travis Kalanick out in 2017. He also shared strong views on artificial intelligence policy and national security.
Michael left Uber in June 2017, days before Kalanick stepped down. The company faced a workplace investigation led by Eric Holder. The probe followed allegations of harassment and discrimination. Although the investigation did not name Michael in the claims, it recommended his removal. Kalanick soon followed after a shareholder revolt. Major investors, including Benchmark, pushed for leadership changes.
Michael said the experience still affects him. When asked if he remains upset, he gave a direct answer: he will “never forget” and “never forgive” the investors involved. He argued that the decision cost Uber its long-term vision. He and Kalanick believed autonomous driving would define the company’s future. Michael said investors focused too much on short-term gains instead of building a trillion-dollar business.
The interview also revisited Uber’s abandoned self-driving ambitions. Michael claimed the company stood close to breakthroughs before leadership changes halted progress. Kalanick has echoed similar views. At a recent event in Los Angeles, he said Uber’s program once ranked just behind Waymo. Today, Waymo operates robotaxis in multiple U.S. cities. Uber sold its autonomous vehicle unit to Aurora in 2020. Many analysts saw the deal as necessary at the time due to high costs and slow progress.
Still, the success of competitors has revived questions about whether Uber exited too early. The issue continues to shape how industry experts view the company’s strategy. Meanwhile, Kalanick has returned to building new ventures. He recently introduced a robotics startup called Atoms. He also invested heavily in Pronto, founded by Anthony Levandowski.
Michael now faces a different challenge in Washington. He plays a key role in the Defense Department’s approach to artificial intelligence. In the interview, he criticized Anthropic’s policies. He argued that private companies should not impose their own rules on government operations. He compared AI tools to standard software, such as Microsoft Office, which allows users to control how they use it.
Michael also raised concerns about global competition. He pointed to reports that Chinese firms may replicate AI models through a process known as distillation. He warned that such activity could give foreign adversaries access to advanced systems. He said this creates an imbalance. U.S. defense agencies could face limits from domestic companies, while rivals use unrestricted versions of similar technology.
The dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic has moved to court. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the company a potential “supply-chain risk.” The government later filed a detailed legal brief outlining its concerns. Officials argued that reliance on a private AI provider could pose risks during wartime. They warned that a company might alter or restrict its technology in ways that affect military operations.
Anthropic strongly rejected those claims. The company filed its own legal response, stating that the government’s concerns rely on misunderstandings. Thiyagu Ramasamy, the company’s head of public sector, said its systems cannot be manipulated in the way officials described. The case now heads to a federal hearing in San Francisco. The outcome could shape how the U.S. government works with AI companies.
