OpenAI weighs contract to deploy AI on NATO’s unclassified networks

OpenAI is weighing a contract to deploy its artificial intelligence systems on NATO’s unclassified networks, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on March 3, a development first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The potential move comes days after the company struck an agreement to deploy its technology inside a classified Pentagon network, thrusting the firm deeper into defense and national security work.

Company spokespeople later clarified that the NATO opportunity concerns only unclassified systems, saying Sam Altman’s apparent reference to NATO “classified” networks was a mistake in initial internal comments, according to reporting by Domain‑b and Reuters. NATO did not immediately respond to requests for comment about any discussions with OpenAI.

OpenAI and the Pentagon have sought to draw lines around permissible uses. Reuters quoted the company saying its AI systems “shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals,” and that the Pentagon affirmed it would not use the services in intelligence agencies such as the National Security Agency. The Pentagon has previously said it has “no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans or using AI to develop weapons that operate without human involvement,” while endorsing lawful, bounded uses of the technology.

Inside OpenAI, the defense deals have provoked unease. Biz Chosun reported that Altman told employees in an all‑hands meeting on March 3 that the Ministry of Defense contract created “a very negative brand effect in the short term,” and that he felt the company had “tried to do the right thing, but it felt like getting completely trampled.” Biz Chosun also cited Sensor Tower data showing a sharp consumer reaction after news of the defense deal: the ChatGPT app’s deletion rate rose 295 percent in a single day, one‑star reviews spiked 775 percent on Feb. 28 and climbed another 100 percent the next day, and five‑star ratings fell by half.

Analysts and industry observers say a NATO deployment would extend OpenAI’s footprint in defense and security, especially in applications such as logistics, cybersecurity and intelligence analysis. Domain‑b and other outlets framed the potential contract as part of broader tensions between rapid commercial deployment and the call for guardrails on privacy, oversight and transparency.

Key details remain unresolved. Reporting provides no contract values, procurement vehicles, timelines or technical particulars such as which models or services would be used and how data governance would be structured. Reuters noted that OpenAI is backed by technology investors including Microsoft and Amazon, but it is not clear whether those partners would participate in any NATO work. NATO’s status as a 32‑member alliance means any broader adoption would raise cross‑border policy and legal questions among member states.

The sequence of deals — a classified Pentagon agreement followed by reported talks about NATO’s unclassified systems — underscores how quickly commercial AI providers are being drawn into defense ecosystems. For now, OpenAI appears to be in exploratory discussions, company spokespeople have issued narrow assurances about surveillance, and concrete answers about scope, safeguards and member‑state buy‑in are still pending. Reporters and officials have been asked for further details; a final decision, if any, has not been announced.