Pentagon document asks OpenAI for military models with minimal refusal rates

Documents obtained through a freedom of information lawsuit show that the US Department of Defense asked OpenAI for military models that refuse as few requests as possible. The requirement appears in P00003, an amended version of the two parties' $200 million contract, which says systems called "OpenAI Mission Models" are to be designed for national security use cases.

OpenAI spokesperson Nate Evans said the clause came from an earlier Pentagon draft, was removed after the company objected and never became part of the agreement in force. The Pentagon also says the current contract contains no such term. The records request, however, asked for signed and executed contracts rather than drafts, and P00003 is not marked as a draft. A Justice Department lawyer representing the Pentagon in the lawsuit initially confirmed that it was the executed contract, but the confirmation was withdrawn after questions were sent to OpenAI.