OpenAI is considering a contract to deploy its artificial intelligence (AI) technology on the unclassified networks of the NATO, according to a recent report by Reuters citing a person familiar with the matter, days after the company finalised a separate agreement with the United States Department of Defense.
The discussions were first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which said OpenAI had explored providing services across NATO’s classified systems. A company spokeswoman later clarified to the newspaper that the chief executive, Sam Altman, had misspoken in an internal meeting and that the potential contract relates only to NATO’s “unclassified networks.”
The prospective arrangement follows OpenAI’s announcement last week that it would deploy its technology within the Pentagon’s classified network. The agreement came after US President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to cease working with rival AI firm Anthropic.
Anthropic’s removal from Pentagon contracts followed reported disagreements over the permissible uses of its technology. Its chief executive, Dario Amodei, has publicly stated that the company opposes the use of its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons systems.
According to Reuters, the Pentagon has said previously it had no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans or using AI to develop weapons that operate without human involvement, but wanted any lawful use of AI to be allowed.
In an updated statement on Monday after striking a deal on Friday, OpenAI said its AI systems “shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals,” adding that the Pentagon also affirmed that AI services would not be used by intelligence agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA), as per the Reuters report.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Altman acknowledged internally that the Pentagon deal was complex and could carry reputational risks in the short term.
