OpenAI, a prominent artificial intelligence research laboratory, has recently shifted its stance on working with the military, allowing its products to be used for defense purposes. This change in policy came as OpenAI partnered with Carahsoft, a government contractor accused of price fixing on Department of Defense contracts. OpenAI was added to a contract vehicle with the DoD called Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS), which allows for the quick procurement of tech services for the Pentagon.
Although OpenAI has not yet executed a contract with the DoD through the CHESS vehicle, Carahsoft has helped the company secure other government contracts. These contracts include selling ChatGPT licenses to NASA and the National Gallery of Art, as well as signing a $100,000 contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for access to multiple AI large language model platforms. This partnership provides OpenAI with a direct route to doing business with the Pentagon, but it raises concerns about the use of AI in military applications as well as Carahsoft’s own business practices.
Carahsoft, founded in 2004, has become one of the most profitable government tech contractors by facilitating the use of products from major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Salesforce by federal agencies. The company has secured significant contracts with the DoD and other government branches worth billions of dollars. However, Carahsoft recently faced legal scrutiny as its offices were raided by the FBI for undisclosed reasons and the government sued the company for alleged contract fixing with SAP. Carahsoft’s legal filings are currently under seal, and the company has not commented on the case.
OpenAI’s efforts to develop ties with the Pentagon include lobbying the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as collaborating with the U.S. military to develop tools for cybersecurity. The company has also been actively engaging with government agencies through various events and webinars co-hosted with Carahsoft. These initiatives aim to showcase how OpenAI’s models can be used for data analysis, translation, and other applications to enhance productivity.
In addition to OpenAI, Carahsoft is also working with other AI startups like Scale AI, Codeium, Thread AI, and Resemble AI to provide AI technologies to government agencies. Resemble AI’s CEO mentioned that their AI voice detection models are already being used by law enforcement officials and intelligence agencies in the U.S. and internationally. Startups see partnering with Carahsoft as a valuable opportunity to gain exposure and access government agencies that may be difficult to reach independently. This trend highlights the growing influence of AI in government operations and the potential impact on national security and privacy.
