OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman expressed strong alignment with ethical boundaries shared by rival AI firm Anthropic in a memo issued on Thursday, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The memo was part of a broader discussion surrounding Anthropic’s negotiations with the Pentagon, where the startup must decide by Friday at 5:01 p.m. ET whether to grant permission for its artificial intelligence models to be utilized by the Department of Defense (DOD) for unrestricted lawful purposes.
Anthropic is seeking clear assurances that its technology will not be employed in the development of fully autonomous weapons or for surveillance against American citizens. Despite these concerns, the DOD has remained firm in its stance. “We have long believed that AI should not be used for mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons and that humans should remain in the loop for high-stakes automated decisions,” Altman articulated in his memo, emphasizing the importance of these ethical boundaries.
Among OpenAI’s staff, support for Anthropic has been rallying, with around 70 employees signing an open letter titled “We Will Not Be Divided,” which aims to reinforce solidarity during the current pressures from the DOD. Altman acknowledged the ongoing communication between OpenAI and Anthropic, stating, “For all the differences I have with Anthropic, I mostly trust them as a company, and I think they really do care about safety.”
Last year, OpenAI secured a $200 million contract with the DOD, allowing the agency to use its models in nonclassified scenarios, while Anthropic has become a pioneer in integrating AI models into mission workflows within classified networks. Looking ahead, Altman mentioned that OpenAI is exploring potential agreements with the DOD for classified model deployments that adhere to ethical principles, adding that technical safeguards and trained personnel would be part of the process to ensure responsible usage.
While discussions are ongoing, Altman emphasized the importance of making decisions based on what is right rather than what appears strong or advantageous in the short term. He is committed to navigating the complex nature of these negotiations thoughtfully, recognizing the challenges involved.
As the situation develops, there remains hope that dialogues can pave the way for ethical usage of AI in defense, balancing innovative technology with necessary safeguards for societal welfare.