ChatGPT maker OpenAI 'joins' Pentagon’s payroll; the company is offering custom models for ...

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has officially joined the Pentagon's roster of contractors, securing a $200 million agreement to supply the US government with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including capabilities for cyber defense. This contract signifies a notable expansion of OpenAI's involvement with military and government sectors."OpenAI has been awarded a fixed amount, prototype, other transaction agreement with a value of $200,000,000. Under this award, the performer will develop prototype frontier AI capabilities to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains," the Department of Defense said in an announcement.The work is primarily slated for the Washington, DC area, with an estimated completion date of July 2026."The work will be primarily performed in the National Capital Region with an estimated completion date of July 2026. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,999,998 are being obligated at time of award. Office of the Secretary of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity," it added.

What OpenAI said on receiving $200 million contract

OpenAI detailed in a blog post that this DoD contract marks the inaugural partnership under its new initiative to provide AI technology to federal, state, and local government agencies. The company is offering "custom models for national security on a limited basis." "Our goal is to unlock AI solutions that enhance the capabilities of government workers, help them cut down on the red tape and paperwork, and let them do more of what they come to work each day to do: serve the American people," OpenAI added.According to OpenAI, "This contract, with a $200 million ceiling, will bring OpenAI’s industry-leading expertise to help the Defense Department identify and prototype how frontier AI can transform its administrative operations, from improving how service members and their families get health care, to streamlining how they look at program and acquisition data, to supporting proactive cyber defense."OpenAI is also one of the key members of Project Stargate that aims to build a massive AI infrastructure, initially focused on the US but expanding internationally, including a partnership in the UAE called Stargate UAE.