An American company is developing war robots, with the justification being the same flawed logic that drives proposals for data centers in every corner of the U.S. landscape.
“U.S. adversaries like China and Russia are pursuing military humanoids and other similar concepts, such as four-legged robot ‘dogs’ with weapons mounted on their backs,” Pathak stated. “So America needs the ability to match them.”
Pathak is a co-founder of San Francisco-based Foundation Future Industries, which builds humanoid robots. The company’s flagship robot is named Phantom. It claims military capabilities that could achieve the same aims as guided bomb strikes or human missions to scout out buildings with less risk to soldiers and civilians. However, Pathak has not opposed turning these robots into full-blown soldiers.
“If essentially the U.S. military tells us tomorrow, ‘Hey, we need these humanoids with guns,’ it almost 100 percent points to the fact that they’re trying to be more precise,” Pathak added.
Foundation aims to build the most capable humanoid robots and plans to create fleets of them. The company states its collaboration with the Department of Defense is fueled by a desire for U.S. superpower status, and it is discussing deployment along the U.S.-Mexico border. Reports indicate Foundation believes it is the only company building military robots.
While Chinese companies shipped 80 percent of the world’s humanoid robots in 2025—with projections rising to 2026—U.S. firms remain global leaders in artificial-intelligence computing power and data centers. Foundation has Eric Trump, the president’s son, as a major investor and chief strategy advisor. The company has reported plans to sell war robots to the government at $300,000 per unit, with an estimated $24 million in defense-related deals across most military branches.
A spokesperson for Eric Trump stated: “Eric maintains a strict separation of church and state with the government. … Eric has no role in management and absolutely no decision making with day-to-day operations.”
Foundation’s vision extends beyond warfare: it aims to create robots for factory work and constructing futuristic mega-cities on Earth, the Moon, and Mars. The company asserts that humanoid technology can address critical challenges in defense, manufacturing, logistics, and labor—enabling humanity to expand without sacrificing life or risking declining birthrates.
This perspective aligns with recent statements from AI developers. OpenAI’s Sam Altman suggested frontier technologies could create utopias by granting humans any wish, claiming the development of an AI “genie” capable of fulfilling desires is near.
Pope Leo XIV of the Catholic Church has warned that AI advancements require “moral and social discernment” to safeguard human dignity. He emphasized that “the decision to use lethal force cannot be delegated to opaque or automated processes,” noting artificial intelligences lack genuine moral consciousness: they do not feel joy or pain, mature through relationships, or possess a conscience capable of judging good and evil.
Pope Leo XIV further stated: “So-called artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences… They may imitate language and analytical skills but do not understand what they produce.” He urged vigilance because AI touches on “rights, opportunities, status and freedom,” suggesting a measured pace in adoption to ensure responsible use without sacrificing human dignity.
Despite these warnings, major powers continue advancing AI technology at full speed with no sign of heeding calls for caution.