Yemen may try to use AI “Claude” in missiles, Houthis also use Chinese parts

[Cairo Current Affairs] Yemen's pro-Iranian armed group, the Houthis, appears to have attempted to develop and improve missiles using the AI ​​model "Claude" from the American artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic. The Houthis, who have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, which supports the rival interim government in Yemen, appear to be developing sophisticated weapons of their own.

In September, the British newspaper Financial Times (FT) reported, based on a report by Anthropic, that armed groups in northern Yemen were "continuing to develop guided weapons, including by utilizing Claude." The report did not name the Houthis, but the FT said there were "few other groups that fit the description".

According to the FT, Claude was used to design software to guide ballistic missiles. Although the experiment failed, the armed organization is said to have used Claude to investigate the cause.

The Houthis have been building missiles with support from Iran. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 13th of this month that the group is importing parts from Chinese companies to manufacture a variant of Iran's ``Keybar Shekan'' ballistic missile (with a range of approximately 1,450 km), circumventing a United Nations embargo. Some of the parts are said to be ``specialized for missiles'' rather than for dual use.

WSJ quoted experts as saying that the Houthis have "diversified their supply chain and built relationships with regional smugglers and international procurement networks." He said the sect has become more independent and is now able to produce its own weapons.