- OpenAI has partnered with Anduril to improve AI in defense technologies.
- Anduril, known for its autonomous military drones, recently won major contracts with the US government.
- The partnership aims to improve U.S. counter-unmanned aircraft systems, the company said.
OpenAI is entering the world of defense technology through a partnership with Palmer Luckey’s Anduril.
On Thursday, Anduril announced it had entered into a partnership with OpenAI to “deploy advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for national security missions.”
The partnership will focus on improving the ability of U.S. counter-unmanned aircraft systems to detect and respond to aerial threats, the company said in a statement.
The company also said their partnership was a “pivotal moment” in the accelerating AI race between the United States and China.
“Decisions made now will determine whether the United States remains a leader in the 21st century or risks being overtaken by adversaries who do not share our commitment to freedom and democracy and who would use AI to threaten other countries,” Anduril said.
Anduril, which typically makes autonomous vehicles for military use, has won several multimillion-dollar contracts from the U.S. government in recent years. Luckey founded Anduril in 2017 after founding virtual reality company Oculus, which he sold to Meta for $2 billion.
Anduril in October unveiled its new AI-powered Bolt-M drone, which can fit in a backpack. The company developed the drones under $249 million contracts awarded to Anduril, AeroVironment and Teledyne FLIR to provide self-destructing drones to the Department of Defense.
Defense technology leaders including Luckey have warned that AI could lead to a future of warfare dominated by cheap autonomous machines like drones. Scott Sacknoff, president of aerospace and defense investment firm Spade Index, previously told Business Insider that autonomous drones are “definitely a trend.”
Sacknoff said the military defense sector is constantly looking for a “counterattack” to the newest technologies and the growth of autonomous drones would likely bring more innovation to stop them.
“The next phase will be that someone – and they already are – will be working on developing technology to counter drones,” he said.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in the statement that OpenAI supports “US-led efforts” to ensure that artificial intelligence “respects democratic values.”
“Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects U.S. military personnel and help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free,” Altman said .
OpenAI and Anduril did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.