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OpenAI has announced a partnership with Anduril, a defence technology startup that develops missiles, drones, and software for the U.S. military.
The collaboration aligns with similar recent initiatives by major tech companies like Meta and Anthropic to engage with the defence sector.
“OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports US-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values,” stated Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
The partnership aims to boost air defence systems, enabling military and intelligence operators to make quicker and more accurate decisions in high-pressure situations. Brian Schimpf, co-founder and CEO of Anduril, emphasised their commitment to developing responsible solutions.
A former OpenAI employee noted that the technology will help assess drone threats more swiftly, providing operators with crucial information while minimising risk.
Earlier this year, OpenAI revised its policy on military applications, leading to some employee dissatisfaction but no protests. Reports suggest that the U.S. military is already utilising certain OpenAI technologies.
Anduril is developing an advanced air defence system using a swarm of small autonomous aircraft controlled by an interface powered by a large language model. Currently, Anduril does not employ advanced AI for autonomous decision-making due to the associated risks.
Historically, many AI researchers opposed military collaboration. However, attitudes have shifted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. OpenAI’s competitor Anthropic recently partnered with Palantir to provide access to its AI models for U.S. defence agencies. Similarly, Meta announced it would offer its open-source Llama AI technology to government agencies involved in national security.
“Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects U.S. military personnel,” said Altman
Anduril, co-founded by Oculus VR creator Palmer Luckey, has quickly gained traction in the defence sector by focusing on advanced technology and securing contracts against traditional military contractors.