OpenAI is considering a contract to deploy its AI technology on NATO's unclassified networks, clarifying an earlier misstatement about classified networks. This follows OpenAI's recent deal with the Pentagon, which came after the U.S. government was directed to stop working with rival Anthropic.
Anthropic's removal stemmed from a standoff over its opposition to the Pentagon using its AI for mass domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons. In its Pentagon deal, OpenAI included a provision that its systems shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons, with the Pentagon affirming intelligence agencies like the NSA would not use the services.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the Pentagon deal was a complex decision with significant negative short-term public relations consequences for the company.
Main Topics: OpenAI's potential NATO contract; OpenAI's Pentagon deal and its ethical safeguards; Anthropic's removal and its stance on military AI use; The public relations impact of military contracts for AI companies.
âOpenAI is considering a contract âto deploy its AI technology on North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) "unclassified" ânetworks, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, days after the ChatGPT-owner struck a deal with the Pentagon.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that OpenAI was considering an agreement with NATO. The ânewspaper said â the OpenAI â CEO, Sam Altman, had initially said in a company meeting that it was looking to deploy âon all NATO classified networks, but a company spokeswoman later clarified to the Journal that Altman âmisspoke and the contract opportunity was for NATO's "unclassified networks." NATO, a 32-member military alliance, did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. OpenAI, which âis backed by Microsoft, Amazon and others, announced a â deal late âlast week to deploy its technology in the Pentagon's classified ânetwork, after U.S. President âDonald Trump directed the government to stop working with rival â Anthropic.
MASS SURVEILLANCE Anthropic's removal followed a standoff in contract talks âwith the Pentagon over the use of the firm's technology. âAnthropic CEO, Dario Amodei, had stressed the company's opposition to the Pentagon using its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or to power fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon has said previously it had no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans or using AI to develop weapons that operate without human involvement, âbut wanted any lawful use of AI to be allowed. In an updated statement on Monday after striking a deal on Friday, OpenAI said âits AI âsystems "shall not be intentionally used â for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals," adding that the Pentagon also affirmed that AI services would not be used by intelligence agencies such as the âNational Security Agency (NSA).
"I think this was an example of a complex, but right decision with extremely difficult brand consequences and very negative PR for us in the short term," Altman said in a company meeting on Tuesday, referring to the Pentagon deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that OpenAI was considering an agreement with NATO. The ânewspaper said â the OpenAI â CEO, Sam Altman, had initially said in a company meeting that it was looking to deploy âon all NATO classified networks, but a company spokeswoman later clarified to the Journal that Altman âmisspoke and the contract opportunity was for NATO's "unclassified networks." NATO, a 32-member military alliance, did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. OpenAI, which âis backed by Microsoft, Amazon and others, announced a â deal late âlast week to deploy its technology in the Pentagon's classified ânetwork, after U.S. President âDonald Trump directed the government to stop working with rival â Anthropic.
MASS SURVEILLANCE Anthropic's removal followed a standoff in contract talks âwith the Pentagon over the use of the firm's technology. âAnthropic CEO, Dario Amodei, had stressed the company's opposition to the Pentagon using its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or to power fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon has said previously it had no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans or using AI to develop weapons that operate without human involvement, âbut wanted any lawful use of AI to be allowed. In an updated statement on Monday after striking a deal on Friday, OpenAI said âits AI âsystems "shall not be intentionally used â for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals," adding that the Pentagon also affirmed that AI services would not be used by intelligence agencies such as the âNational Security Agency (NSA).
"I think this was an example of a complex, but right decision with extremely difficult brand consequences and very negative PR for us in the short term," Altman said in a company meeting on Tuesday, referring to the Pentagon deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.
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