OpenAI Secures $200M Defense Contract, Introduces OpenAI for Government Initiative

OpenAI has secured a $200 million contract with the Defense Department, marking a significant shift from its previous policy against military work. The one-year deal aims to develop AI prototypes for national security challenges and falls under OpenAI’s new “OpenAI for Government” division. This change follows the removal of language in its usage policy that banned military applications, replaced by a broader “don’t harm people” clause. Critics see this as a stealth rewrite, while OpenAI defends it as a clarification allowing for defensive missions. The contract is seen as a strategic move to establish OpenAI as the go-to AI vendor for government agencies. OpenAI aims to leverage its existing tools, including ChatGPT Gov, and further capitalize on a growing demand for military applications in AI. Although the company maintains a stance against weapon development, the deal raises questions about the implications of AI in warfare. The partnership signals OpenAI’s official entry into the national-security sector.

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