OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has moved to calm growing concerns over the company’s deal with the US Department of Defense, saying the agreement will be revised to clearly prevent the misuse of its artificial intelligence tools.
The original partnership sparked criticism from privacy advocates and some users, who feared that OpenAI’s technology could be used for domestic surveillance or to track American citizens using personal data. The backlash intensified online, with critics questioning whether AI companies should be working so closely with military and intelligence agencies.
Responding to the concerns, Altman admitted that the initial announcement of the deal was not handled well. He said the communication around the agreement was “rushed” and lacked clarity, which led to confusion about how the technology could be used.
To address this, OpenAI is updating the contract to explicitly ban the use of its AI systems for domestic spying. The revised terms will make clear that the tools cannot be used to monitor US citizens or analyse commercially collected personal data for surveillance purposes. Additional safeguards are also being added to ensure intelligence agencies cannot access or use the models without proper approvals.
Altman stressed that OpenAI remains committed to protecting civil liberties while also supporting national security efforts. He said the company wants to strike a balance between helping governments with responsible AI solutions and ensuring strong privacy protections are in place.
The controversy highlights the growing debate around the role of artificial intelligence in defence and security. As AI becomes more powerful and widely used, tech companies are facing tougher questions about ethics, transparency and accountability.
While the amended deal is expected to reassure some critics, discussions around AI’s role in military operations are likely to continue.
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