Major Tech Giants Deepen Collaboration with US Military
OpenAI, known for its advanced AI applications including ChatGPT, has joined the cohort of tech companies collaborating with the US military.
Pentagon logo is seen ahead of a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., United States on October 17, 2023. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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eading technology companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, Amazon, and Google, are significantly expanding their collaborations with the US military, spanning crucial areas such as augmented reality, cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity.
As of 2021, Microsoft has entered into a substantial cooperation agreement with the US military, focusing on augmented reality-based glasses. Under the terms of this 10-year deal, Microsoft is set to deliver over 120,000 HoloLens products to the US military, with the total value reaching an impressive $21.8 billion.
Additionally, Microsoft has a separate agreement with the Pentagon that encompasses cloud services. Initially selected by the US Department of Defense for cloud services in 2018, the agreement underwent revisions during Joe Biden’s administration, resulting in the distribution of the cloud services deal among Google, Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft.
Amazon and OpenAl
Amazon, a key participant in the collaborative efforts, emphasized its long-standing partnership with the US government, asserting that their work has demonstrated the efficacy of their services. Amazon recognizes the pivotal role of staying ahead of competitors in ensuring national security.
OpenAI, known for its advanced AI applications such as ChatGPT, has also joined the cohort of tech companies collaborating with the US military. This partnership will involve leveraging AI for cybersecurity studies. Notably, OpenAI, in its usage policies, had initially declared its applications, including ChatGPT, would not be used for military purposes.
However, a recent revision in these policies removed the restriction, indicating OpenAI’s openness to engage in military-related projects. This change has been interpreted by experts as a shift towards considering military applications.
A critical role
Google, renowned for its search engine, is actively participating in technological collaborations with the US military. The Google Workspace platform, offering a suite of collaborative tools through cloud technology, has been a significant part of this partnership. More than 180,000 US Army personnel reportedly utilize Google Workspace, highlighting the substantial impact of the collaboration.
These collaborations with major technology firms underscore the critical role played by the private sector in supporting the technological needs of the US military. Not only do these partnerships contribute to the military’s capabilities, but they also represent lucrative contracts, with technology companies reportedly earning billions of dollars through engagements with the military and other government agencies in the United States.
Source: Anadolu Agency
