Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has accused OpenAI of spreading misinformation regarding its defense contracts, describing OpenAI’s explanations as “straight up lies.” This accusation follows Anthropic’s failed negotiations with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) over access to its artificial intelligence technology.
The dispute centers on the use of AI for military purposes, highlighting a divergence in corporate safety policies and public perception within the tech industry. Amodei asserted in an internal memo, reported by The Information, that OpenAI accepted a DoD deal due to concerns about employee placation, while Anthropic prioritized preventing AI abuses. He referred to OpenAI’s actions as “safety theater.”
Anthropic’s negotiations with the DoD stalled last week because the company insisted the military affirm non-use of its AI for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry. Anthropic previously held a $200 million contract with the military. OpenAI subsequently secured a deal with the DoD. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that this contract included protections against the same issues Anthropic raised.
Amodei challenged Altman’s portrayal as a “peacemaker and dealmaker,” calling OpenAI’s messaging “straight up lies.” Anthropic specifically objected to the DoD’s demand for access to its AI for “any lawful use.” OpenAI stated in a blog post that its contract permits AI use for “all lawful purposes,” asserting it explicitly clarified that mass domestic surveillance is not covered under lawful use.
Critics noted that legal definitions can change, potentially altering what constitutes legal AI use in the future. Public reaction appears to favor Anthropic, with ChatGPT uninstalls increasing by 295% after OpenAI announced its deal with the DoD.
Amodei told his staff that OpenAI’s “spin/gaslighting is not working very well on the general public or the media,” adding that people mostly view OpenAI’s deal as “sketchy or suspicious” and see Anthropic as “the heroes.”
