OpenAI Revises Pentagon Deal After CEO Admits Rushed Rollout
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly acknowledged mishandling the company's recent agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. The deal, announced hours after former President TRUMP banned federal agencies from using Anthropic's AI tools, faced immediate backlash for its timing and lack of clarity.
Altman described the rollout as "opportunistic and sloppy" in an internal memo shared on social media. OpenAI is now revising the contract to explicitly state its AI tools won't be used for domestic surveillance or by intelligence agencies like the NSA. The Pentagon has confirmed these limitations.
The controversy highlights growing tensions between AI developers and government entities seeking to leverage emerging technologies. Altman has called for Anthropic to receive equal contract terms, suggesting the industry may need clearer standards for defense collaborations.
