Anthropic CEO Calls OpenAI DoD Deal 'Safety Theater'
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- Anthropic failed to reach an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense over unrestricted AI access after the DoD requested such access.
- Anthropic holds a $200 million contract with the military but demanded the DoD affirm it would not use its AI for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.
- OpenAI signed a defense contract with the DoD, with CEO Sam Altman stating the deal includes protections against the red lines Anthropic set.
- OpenAI described its contract as allowing AI use for “all lawful purposes,” while its blog post claimed the DoD considers mass domestic surveillance illegal and not planning to use it.
- Dario Amodei called OpenAI’s messaging “straight up lies,” accusing Altman of presenting himself as a peacemaker and dealmaker.
- ChatGPT uninstallations rose 295% after OpenAI announced its DoD deal, reflecting public backlash.
Why it matters: Anthropic’s public rebuke frames OpenAI’s DoD contract as a PR stunt, while the 295% surge in ChatGPT uninstallations shows a tangible public backlash that could erode OpenAI’s user base and bolster Anthropic’s reputation as a principled AI provider and may influence future defense contracts.
