OpenAI, without announcement, lifted an outright ban on military and combat use of AI

Mariia Shalabaieva/Unsplash

The OpenAI company has made unannounced changes to the policy on the use of its products. In particular, a direct ban on the use of chatbots and other developments for military purposes has been excluded from the document.

Here's What We Know

Previously, the clause on the inadmissibility of military and combat use was included in the list of prohibited practices, along with the creation of weapons and surveillance of communications. Now the policy is more vaguely worded, although it still contains a weapons clause.

OpenAI Terms of Use prior to the changes

OpenAI's updated Terms of Use

The company confirmed that in this way they wanted to provide clarity and open the door for co-operation with military departments. In particular, OpenAI already cooperates with DARPA in the field of cybersecurity.

According to experts, the removal of direct restrictions will allow the company to work more actively with the US Ministry of Defence and other government agencies. Although it is still unclear how exactly these boundaries will be drawn in practice.

Source: OpenAI, TechCrunch