OpenAI Inks Classified Deal with DOW
OpenAI has reached a classified agreement with defense contractor DOW (Defense Operations Worldwide) to deploy its AI models on secure networks. The deal reportedly includes robust guardrails for sensitive information, further integrating a leading US tech company into national security infrastructure.
This agreement follows the Trump administration's directive for all federal agencies to cease using AI from rival company Anthropic. The move came after a public dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic over the latter's insistence on explicit "red lines" against using its AI for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a "supply chain risk," effectively blacklisting the company from government contracts. Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, stated the company would not back down on its ethical guards, leading to the impasse and subsequent termination of its existing government work. OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman announced the new partnership, stating that the Department of War (DOW) agreed to similar restrictions that were a point of contention with Anthropic. These "red lines" include prohibiting the use of OpenAI's models for mass domestic surveillance, directing autonomous weapon systems, and making high-stakes automated decisions without human oversight. The deployment of OpenAI's models will be restricted to cloud environments, not on "edge systems" like drones or other hardware, as an additional technical safeguard. OpenAI will also have its own cleared engineers and safety researchers involved in the deployment on the classified networks to ensure compliance. This deal is part of a broader push by the Department of War, a secondary title for the Department of Defense under the Trump administration, to accelerate AI adoption for a strategic advantage. The administration has emphasized a desire for "maximum lethality, not tepid legality" in its military posture. Sam Altman acknowledged the deal was "definitely rushed," framing it as an effort to "de-escalate the situation" between the government and AI labs. He also stated a desire for the same contractual terms to be offered to all AI companies, including Anthropic, to foster a healthier competitive environment.
