The ChatGPT Creator Joins Silicon Valley’s Shift Toward Defense Contracts, Following Meta and Anthropic
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has partnered with Anduril, a defense tech startup that develops drones, missiles, and software for the U.S. military. This collaboration highlights a growing trend in Silicon Valley, where AI firms are increasingly aligning with the defense sector.
“OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible and supports U.S.-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a statement announcing the partnership.
Enhancing Military Systems
Anduril’s CEO, Brian Schimpf, stated that OpenAI’s models would be used to enhance air defense systems, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making in critical scenarios. The technology will reportedly assist operators in assessing drone threats more efficiently, equipping them with actionable intelligence while minimizing risks to their safety.
An unnamed former OpenAI employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that OpenAI’s models will play a key role in analyzing drone threats and providing real-time data to operators.
Earlier this year, OpenAI revised its stance on military applications for its AI, signaling a shift in policy. Although some staff expressed dissatisfaction with this change, no significant internal protests were reported. The U.S. military is already utilizing OpenAI technology in some capacities, as reported by The Intercept.
Advanced Air Defense with AI
Anduril is working on an innovative air defense system that leverages a swarm of autonomous drones. These drones are guided through a natural language interface powered by OpenAI’s large language models, which translate human commands into executable instructions. Previously, Anduril relied on open-source models for testing but is now integrating OpenAI’s advanced capabilities.
Despite these advancements, Anduril has not yet employed sophisticated AI to grant autonomous decision-making to its drones, a step considered risky given the unpredictability of current AI systems.
Shifting Attitudes in Silicon Valley
The collaboration underscores a broader cultural shift in the tech industry. Just a few years ago, many AI researchers resisted military partnerships. In 2018, Google employees famously protested the company’s involvement in Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative that used AI for drone surveillance. The backlash led Google to withdraw from the project.
However, perspectives have evolved, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With AI now recognized as a key geopolitical asset, tech firms are more open to defense work. Defense contracts also offer substantial revenue opportunities, which are attractive to AI companies requiring significant investment for research and development.
A Broader Industry Trend
OpenAI isn’t alone in embracing military partnerships. Last month, Anthropic announced a collaboration with Palantir to provide its AI models to U.S. defense and intelligence agencies. Around the same time, Meta made its Llama AI technology available to national security contractors, including Anduril, Palantir, Booz Allen, and Lockheed Martin.
Altman emphasized the importance of responsible AI use in defense, stating, “Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects U.S. military personnel and supports the national security community in using AI responsibly to safeguard citizens and freedoms.”
Anduril’s Rapid Rise
Founded by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, Anduril has quickly established itself as a major player in the defense industry. By prioritizing cutting-edge software, the company has secured significant contracts, often outcompeting more traditional military contractors.
This partnership with OpenAI marks another step in Anduril’s efforts to revolutionize defense technology and integrate advanced AI into critical systems.