Altman Reportedly Tells Staff OpenAI Wants Another Classified Contract. This Time with NATO
Altman Reportedly Tells Staff OpenAI Wants Another Classified Contract. This Time with NATO
Publish Date: 2026-03-03 22:17:00
Source Domain: gizmodo.com
Here is a summary of the article you provided, including from 4 to 8 key points in an unordered list:
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CEO’s Efforts to Reassure Employees:
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, tried to reassure agitated employees after controversies erupted around the company’s contract with the Pentagon. -
Contract with the Pentagon:
Employees expressed concern and criticism toward Altman after details of the Pentagon contract were revealed, emphasizing the apparent conflict within the company. -
Regret and Pain:
Altman reportedly described the situation as “painful” and admitted that the company had appeared “not united with the field” when discussing the contract. -
Planned NATO Contract:
In a significant and potentially lucrative move, Altman mentioned that the company is also looking at a contract to deploy its technology on all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) classified networks. -
Contrast with Pentagon Deal:
While the Pentagon contract allowed the Department of Defense to use OpenAI’s technology freely without operational control from the company, this contrasts with a potentially new deal for NATO classified networks. -
Significance in NATO Contract:
The potential NATO contract is considered a noteworthy achievement, as highlighted by the precedent set by Apple’s recent approval to use its consumer devices for classified NATO purposes. -
AI in Defense Growth:
The contract comes at a time when NATO members have signaled an increase in defense budgets, indicative of a growing “AI gold rush” in defense technology. -
Monetary Investment from the Pentagon:
In June of last year, the Pentagon announced a substantial contract awarding up to $200 million to OpenAI for government projects through its Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).
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