In its biggest foray into the defense industry to yet, OpenAI is collaborating with Anduril Industries Inc. to integrate its AI technology into the weapons manufacturer’s anti-drone equipment.The two businesses said on Wednesday that Anduril will use OpenAI’s technology to better identify and counter unmanned “aerial threats,” namely drones, which have emerged as a key component of contemporary warfare. Additionally, OpenAI will train its algorithms for these protection systems using Anduril data.OpenAI has been attempting to deepen its national security ties with the US government in recent months, stating that it wishes to assist the public sector in implementing AI that respects democratic principles.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory and OpenAI collaborated to implement ChatGPT enterprise solutions for administrative purposes. Additionally, the corporation added the former chief of the National Security Agency to its board and appointed a former top Pentagon official to oversee its national security policy team.
In a joint statement, the corporations stated that “we risk losing the technological edge that has underpinned our national security for decades if the United States cedes ground.” The alliance, according to Anduril and OpenAI, will concentrate on creating and “responsibly” implementing AI for national security missions. Brian Schimpf, co-founder and CEO of Anduril, said in the statement that the collaboration will aid in filling “urgent” shortages in air defense capabilities globally.Employees at consumer tech businesses have historically objected to defense contracts; in 2018, this caused major demonstrations within Google. However, the AI sector has lately been increasingly receptive to these agreements.In order to give US intelligence and defense organizations access to its technologies, OpenAI competitor Anthropic announced in November a collaboration with Palantir Technologies Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.
Last month, Meta Platforms Inc. also made its AI models available to US contractors and defense organizations.According to a spokeswoman, OpenAI and Anduril have partnered particularly to use the latter’s technology in a defensive manner against unmanned drones.OpenAI is placing a wager on a frontrunner in the defense sector of Silicon Valley with Anduril. The firm, which was last valued at $14 billion, manufactures drones, submarines, and reusable rockets. It has several agreements with the US Defense Department and its allies. Anduril declared in September that it will increase its space endeavors, and last month it secured a contract worth $99.7 million with the US Space Command.
