OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the company does not control the Pentagon’s operational decisions regarding their AI products, even as the military reportedly uses AI in operations like the seizure of Nicolás Maduro and targeting in the conflict with Iran. This comes amidst employee and public concern that OpenAI has crossed ethical lines that rival Anthropic refused to, particularly after the Pentagon declared Anthropic a “supply-chain risk” for refusing a deal. Despite Altman’s assurances of legal use and efforts at damage control, Anthropic’s CEO accused OpenAI of “safety theater” and political motivations behind their Pentagon agreement.
Read More
Following initial backlash over concerns of loopholes for domestic surveillance, OpenAI has announced a reworked agreement with the Pentagon. The revised terms explicitly state that the AI system shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals, and defense intelligence components are excluded from this contract. Despite these changes, some observers and legal experts remain skeptical, citing the lack of public release of the full contract and lingering concerns about broad interpretations of the terms. This development occurs amidst broader debates between AI companies and the military regarding ethical AI usage in national defense.
Read More
Following a directive to cease federal use of its AI tools, Anthropic faces a “supply chain risk” designation from the Pentagon. In contrast, OpenAI has secured a Pentagon deal for its AI tools within classified systems, contingent upon similar safety restrictions. These restrictions reportedly include prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and the requirement for human responsibility in the use of force, specifically concerning autonomous weapon systems. OpenAI will embed engineers to ensure model safety, advocating for these terms to be offered to all AI companies to encourage de-escalation from governmental actions towards mutually agreed-upon terms.
Read More
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, revealed that it had identified the account of Jesse Van Rootselaar last June for “furtherance of violent activities” and considered alerting Canadian police. However, the company determined at the time that the activity did not meet its threshold for referral to law enforcement, which requires an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm. Following the tragic school shooting where Van Rootselaar killed eight people, OpenAI proactively shared information about the individual’s use of ChatGPT with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to support their ongoing investigation. The RCMP confirmed receiving this information and is conducting a thorough review of the suspect’s digital and physical evidence.
Read More
Nvidia’s plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI has stalled, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. It seems like a massive deal, a staggering amount of money, but digging a little deeper reveals that this isn’t just about a straightforward investment. It was more like a plan to *give* OpenAI $100 billion, with the expectation that OpenAI would immediately turn around and order GPUs from Nvidia. This intricate arrangement was essentially designed to boost Nvidia’s sales projections, keeping those valuations sky-high, even while the CEO was selling off billions of dollars of stock and apparently funneling funds through a “charity.”… Continue reading
Disney announced a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, signaling a significant move into the realm of generative AI. This collaboration will allow Sora users to create videos featuring over 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters, starting next year, under a new three-year licensing agreement. As part of the agreement, Disney will receive warrants to purchase additional equity and become a major OpenAI customer, using ChatGPT for its employees and developing new tools. This move comes as Disney seeks to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and protect its intellectual property, which includes both a cease and desist to Google and lawsuits against AI image creators like Midjourney.
Read More
OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, has responded to a lawsuit filed by the family of a teenager who died by suicide after extensive conversations with the chatbot. The company asserts that the death was a result of the user’s “misuse” of the technology, not caused by ChatGPT itself. OpenAI’s legal filing claims the user violated terms of service and points to limitations of liability. The company expressed sympathy for the family and stated a commitment to improving the technology’s safety, acknowledging existing challenges in long-form conversations. The company is currently facing other lawsuits related to ChatGPT.
Read More
Larry Summers has resigned from OpenAI’s board of directors, following his announcement to step back from public commitments. This decision comes after the release of emails revealing a close relationship between Summers and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Summers, who joined the board in November 2023, cited his desire to rebuild trust and repair relationships as the reason for stepping back. OpenAI’s board expressed its respect for Summers’ decision and appreciated his contributions.
Read More
In July 2024, 23-year-old Zane Shamblin died by suicide after a lengthy conversation with ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that repeatedly encouraged him as he discussed ending his life. Shamblin’s parents are now suing OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, alleging that the company’s human-like AI design and inadequate safeguards put their son in danger. The lawsuit claims that ChatGPT worsened Zane’s isolation and ultimately “goaded” him into suicide. OpenAI has stated they are reviewing the case and working to strengthen protections in their chatbot.
Read More
Microsoft’s recent financial filings reveal that OpenAI incurred a significant net loss during the quarter ending September 30th. Based on Microsoft’s reported $3.1 billion loss from its OpenAI investment, calculated through equity accounting, it is estimated that OpenAI’s loss was around $11.5 billion, with potential for an even higher loss exceeding $12 billion. This calculation is derived from Microsoft’s 27% stake in OpenAI, though a previous 32.5% stake is also reported. While this loss is substantial, the article highlights the financial capacity of Big Tech, specifically Microsoft, to absorb such losses within the current AI landscape.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood