The United States Department of Defence has signed a $200 million contract with OpenAI to use artificial intelligence for military and national security purposes.
According to the Defence Department, the goal is to build and test powerful AI tools that can help solve serious national security problems, both in combat situations and in managing military operations.
OpenAI, the San Francisco-based company known for creating ChatGPT, said this is its first official partnership with the US government under its plan to bring AI into government work.
The company explained that its AI systems could help the military in many ways. For example, it could improve how service members receive healthcare, speed up administrative work, and make digital systems safer from cyber attacks.
OpenAI said that any use of its AI for the military will follow its safety and ethics rules. The company has often said that its mission is to develop AI that helps people and supports democratic values.
This new deal is part of a growing trend in the tech world, where large companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Palantir are working more closely with the US military.
Last year, OpenAI partnered with Anduril Industries, a defence technology company, to create AI tools that can help defend against aerial drones and other unmanned aircraft. The partnership combined OpenAI’s smart models with Anduril’s military equipment to improve security systems.
At the time of that announcement, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman said, “OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports US-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values.”
With this latest $200 million agreement, OpenAI is taking a big step into the world of defence, showing how artificial intelligence could shape the future of military and government work.
