OpenAI deepens government ties, providing AI models to U.S. National Labs for scientific research, cybersecurity, and nuclear risk reduction.
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| OpenAI partners with U.S. National Laboratories to advance AI research, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance nuclear weapon safety. Image: ChicHue |
Washington, USA – January 31, 2025:
OpenAI is deepening its ties with the U.S. government, announcing a new collaboration with the U.S. National Laboratories to enhance scientific research and improve nuclear safety. The partnership, revealed Thursday, will provide around 15,000 scientists from Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia National Laboratories with access to OpenAI's cutting-edge frontier AI models, including the o1 model or other variants of the O-series.
In collaboration with Microsoft, OpenAI will deploy these models on the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s newly unveiled NVIDIA Grace Hopper-powered supercomputer, Venado. The partnership will support a range of critical initiatives, including strengthening the national power grid against cyberattacks, exploring new treatments for diseases, and furthering studies on fundamental physics.
Perhaps the most significant and controversial aspect of the deal is the involvement of OpenAI’s models in nuclear weapons safety. The AI tools will assist in a program focused on reducing the risks associated with nuclear war and securing nuclear materials and weapons globally. OpenAI emphasized that this contribution is vital to its broader commitment to national security. Additionally, the company will assign AI researchers with security clearances to carefully review use cases and provide consultations on AI safety.
This collaboration builds on existing ties, with the Los Alamos National Laboratory already utilizing OpenAI’s technology for bioscientific research, particularly regarding GPT-40’s safe use. In fact, since 2024, over 18 million messages have been sent to OpenAI’s models by government employees across various levels in the U.S.
The partnership follows a series of high-profile moves by OpenAI to strengthen its position in the federal space, including a recent announcement of a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative in partnership with SoftBank. Additionally, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has made significant contributions to political figures, further cementing the company’s influence in the technology and government sectors.
As OpenAI continues to expand its role in shaping the future of AI and national security, this latest alliance underscores its growing influence in critical areas of public and global safety.