As part of the partnership, OpenAI will integrate its software into Anduril's anti-drone systems, which detect and shoot down drones. It is OpenAI's first partnership with a defense contractor and a significant shift from its previous stance toward the military. OpenAI's terms of service once prohibited “military and war” use of its technology, but it softened its position on military use earlier this year, changing its terms of service in January to remove the proscription.
“OpenAI builds ai to benefit as many people as possible and supports US-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a statement. statement. “Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure that OpenAI technology protects American military personnel and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free.”
like him Wall Street Journal As Anduril points out, currently valued at $14 billion, it has a $200 million anti-drone systems contract with the Marine Corps. But OpenAI will not only benefit financially from its partnership with Anduril; It can also gain political influence. Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey was an early supporter of President-elect Donald Trump and also has ties to Elon Musk, one of the heads of the still nebulous (and still non-existent) Department of Government Efficiency. And the America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank working closely with Trump's transition team, has proposed that Trump embrace ai to create a new “Manhattan Project” for defense.
