The artificial intelligence company that created ChatGPT is exploring a potential agreement to provide its technology to NATO’s non-classified computer systems, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
OpenAI’s potential partnership with the 32-nation military alliance was first revealed by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, coming just days after the company finalized a contentious deal with the U.S. Defense Department.
According to the Journal’s reporting, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman initially told employees during an internal company meeting that the organization was exploring deployment across all NATO classified systems. However, a company representative later corrected this statement, explaining that Altman had misstated the scope and that the potential contract would only cover NATO’s non-classified networks.
NATO officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the potential partnership.
The Microsoft and Amazon-supported company announced its Pentagon agreement late last week, allowing the Defense Department to use OpenAI’s artificial intelligence capabilities on classified government networks. This deal materialized after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to cease collaboration with competing AI firm Anthropic.
Anthropic lost its Pentagon contract opportunity following disagreements during negotiations over how the military would use the company’s technology. Anthropic’s leader, Dario Amodei, had voiced strong objections to allowing the Pentagon to use his company’s AI systems for widespread domestic surveillance operations or to create fully automated weapons systems.
Pentagon officials have previously stated they have no plans to use artificial intelligence for mass surveillance of American citizens or to develop weapons that function without human oversight. However, military leaders wanted flexibility to use AI technology for any lawful purposes.
Following the completion of its Pentagon agreement on Friday, OpenAI issued an updated policy statement on Monday clarifying that its AI technology “shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals.” The company also noted that the Defense Department confirmed the AI services would not be made available to intelligence organizations like the National Security Agency.
During Tuesday’s company meeting, Altman acknowledged the challenging nature of the Pentagon decision, telling employees: “I think this was an example of a complex, but right decision with extremely difficult brand consequences and very negative PR for us in the short term,” according to the Wall Street Journal’s reporting.
