{"id":"f-e550251d2f-72779d74-6b8c-5e5f-8f41-6af35cfe3186","title":"Sam Altman regrets rushing the OpenAI Department of War deal, will amend the language","description":"Altman acknowledged the rollout was mishandled, writing that the Friday night announcement and that the company should not have rushed communication on such a complex issue.","timestamp":1772523665,"category":"technology","headline":"Sam Altman regrets rushing the OpenAI Department of War deal, will amend the language","modifiedHeadline":"OpenAI Amends AI Deal After Public Backlash","subCategories":["scid_bfd77859"],"subcategoriesName":["Big Tech"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"c35cfc57-1bba-4539-a24c-695ea99ac023","bundleTitle":"Mastering AI","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"597","iabCategoryName":"Artificial Intelligence","fcSummary":"following intense public backlash, openai has amended its agreement with the us department of war to explicitly prohibit domestic surveillance of americans using its ai systems, addressing concerns about commercially acquired data. sam altman acknowledged a mismanaged rollout and urged the department not to blacklist anthropic, which refused similar terms. the controversy highlighted the tension between national security and civil liberties in ai deployment, prompting consumer action and raising questions about industry oversight.","summary":"OpenAI amends DoW AI deal after backlash, adding safeguards vs. domestic surveillance. Altman regrets rushed rollout. Public trust shaken.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/World_News/IN/en/cnbc-tv18/f-e550251d2f-72779d74-6b8c-5e5f-8f41-6af35cfe3186","sourceUrl":"https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/sam-altman-regrets-rushing-openai-us-department-of-war-deal-will-amend-language-anthropic-dow-ws-l-19861341.htm","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/Jykhfnvdg5Z0.webp","content":"In a rapid reversal following a weekend of intense public criticism, Sam Altman on Tuesday, March 3, said that he regrets rushing the deal and has announced amendments to OpenAI’s agreement with the US Department of War (DoW), adding explicit language prohibiting the use of its AI systems for domestic surveillance of Americans, including through commercially purchased personal data.\n\n
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\n The changes come just days after OpenAI revealed it had reached an agreement to deploy its models within the DoW’s classified network, triggering one of the largest public controversies in the AI industry this year.\n
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\n In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Altman reposted an internal company update confirming that OpenAI and the DoW agreed to add new contractual language stating:\n
\n • AI systems shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of US persons or nationals.\n\n
\n • The prohibition includes deliberate tracking, monitoring, or surveillance using commercially acquired personal or identifiable information.\n
\n • Use must remain consistent with applicable laws, including the Fourth Amendment, the National Security Act of 1947, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.\n
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\n The clarification around commercially acquired data appears to directly address concerns that agencies can legally purchase personal data from brokers, a practice critics argue circumvents constitutional protections.\n\n
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Read more: Israel-Iran War News LIVE updates\n
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\n Altman acknowledged the rollout was mishandled, writing that the Friday night announcement and that the company should not have rushed communication on such a complex issue.\n
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\n The updated terms also confirm that OpenAI’s services will not be used by Department of War intelligence agencies, including the NSA, without a separate contractual modification.\n
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\n This provision was widely demanded by civil liberties advocates, who feared mission creep beyond military operations into domestic intelligence use.\n\n
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\n The controversy intensified because of parallel developments involving Anthropic.\n
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\n Anthropic had declined to accept DoW terms that would allow “any lawful use” of its AI models if such use conflicted with its Constitutional AI principles. Following that refusal, the DoW designated the company a Supply Chain Risk, or SCR, effectively restricting its access to certain federal contracts.\n
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\n Altman, however, stated over the weekend that he has urged the DoW not to blacklist Anthropic and to offer the same amended terms to all AI companies.\n\n
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\n The episode has created a sharp philosophical divide within the industry\n
\n • OpenAI negotiated and amended.\n
\n • Anthropic refused and absorbed the consequences.\n
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\n The public response was swift. Online communities began circulating “Cancel ChatGPT” and “QuitGPT” guides, encouraging users to export their data and switch to alternatives. App review platforms saw a spike in negative ratings, and rival AI assistant Claude surged in app rankings over the weekend. ChatGPT uninstalls surged 295%, and Anthropic emerged on top of the most downloaded app list on stores.\n\n
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Read more: US-Israel-Iran War: India reviews impact on trade, vows steps to keep cargo flowing for perishables, pharma\n
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\n While it remains unclear whether the exodus will be sustained, the episode has exposed how quickly trust concerns can translate into consumer action in the AI market.\n
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\n At the centre of the controversy is a broader issue: who sets the boundaries for military AI deployment?\n
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\n Altman has argued that democratic governments, not private companies, should ultimately decide the rules governing AI in society, while maintaining that he would refuse unconstitutional orders.\n
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\n Critics counter that contractual language such as “consistent with applicable laws” and “not intentionally” leaves too much room for interpretation in national security contexts.\n\n
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\n The revised agreement may calm immediate concerns, but the debate is far from settled.\n
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\n As AI systems move deeper into military and intelligence infrastructure, the industry now faces a defining question: can it balance national security collaboration with civil liberty safeguards and retain public trust at the same time?\n
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\n The answer will likely shape the next phase of the AI race.","readDurationInMinutes":"7","author":{"name":"CNBC TV18","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/jpeg/ecc3d19b-fc52-4a39-881c-5b0936ae723b.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[{"measurementId":"383191425","type":"COMSCORE"}],"pointerSummary":["OpenAI amends AI deal after public backlash, prohibiting domestic surveillance.","ChatGPT uninstalls surged 295% amid concerns over data use by the US Dept of War.","Altman urges DoW to offer revised terms to all AI firms, amid trust concerns."],"tags":["SamAltman","OpenAI","DepartmentOfWar","AIDeals","DomesticSurveillance","CivilLiberties","FourthAmendment","NationalSecurity","Anthropic","ConstitutionalAI","ChatGPT","ClaudeAI","AIEthics","MilitaryAI","TechControversy","PublicTrust","AIRegulation","DataPrivacy"],"redirectionEnabled":false,"consent":true}

Sam Altman regrets rushing the OpenAI Department of War deal, will amend the language

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