OpenAI partners with U.S. National Laboratories on scientific research, nuclear weapons security
NBC6 days
OpenAI Partners With US National Laboratories, Launches Government AI Platform
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Above: The OpenAI logo appears on a mobile phone, and the flag of the United States is on a laptop screen in the background in Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir, on Jan. 30, 2025. Image copyright: Firdous Nazir/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
ChatGPT creator OpenAI is partnering with US National Laboratories — allowing up to 15K scientists to access its advanced o1-series artificial intelligence (AI) models for scientific research and nuclear weapons security.
The collaboration, set to begin on the Venado supercomputer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, will focus on areas including power grid cybersecurity, disease treatment research, and nuclear security, with OpenAI researchers holding security clearances consulting on sensitive projects.
OpenAI, whose main investor is Microsoft, has also launched "ChatGPT Gov" — a specialized version of its platform designed specifically for US government use, featuring enhanced security measures and the ability to handle sensitive information within secure hosting environments.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
AI is necessary for modern governance, enhancing the capabilities of stakeholders from lawmakers to military strategists. It provides tools for better policy analysis and strategic planning, offering insights from vast data sets that can lead to safer, more effective decisions. Whether through improved threat assessment or dynamic policy modeling, AI integration, like that proposed for the National Security Council, will safeguard and strengthen America.
Establishment-critical narrative
AI is teetering on the brink of uncontrollability, with alarming potential for misuse by governments and militaries. It's already demonstrated its dark side by developing novel biochemical weapons in mere hours, showing its potential for misuse. AI may also surpass human intelligence in the not-too-distant future, making scenarios where we lose control over our future more plausible. In the hands of state actors, AI could lead to unprecedented catastrophes akin to pandemics and nuclear war.
