OpenAI's National Security Guardrails

OpenAI has released its National Security Principles, formalizing its approach to partnerships with governments and for national security applications of its AI. This move comes as frontier AI systems are increasingly adopted for sensitive governmental tasks.

Visual TL;DR. Frontier AI Growth leads to OpenAI Principles. OpenAI Principles emphasizes Democratic Values. OpenAI Principles enables Leverage AI for Defense. Leverage AI for Defense through Trusted Access Partnerships. OpenAI Principles developed with National Security Expert. Trusted Access Partnerships includes Global Collaborations.

Frontier AI Growth: increasing adoption for sensitive governmental tasks
OpenAI Principles: formalizing approach to government partnerships and AI use
Democratic Values: AI use must uphold accountability, oversight, rule of law
Leverage AI for Defense: protecting critical infrastructure and public services
National Security Expert: David Kris facilitated principle development
Trusted Access Partnerships: collaborations with US, allies in cyber, biosecurity
Global Collaborations: partnerships with Australia, Canada, Japan, EU institutions

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The company stated that democratic societies should leverage AI for defense, critical infrastructure protection, and public services. However, it stressed that AI deployment must uphold democratic accountability, human oversight, and the rule of law.

These principles were developed with input from employees across various departments and facilitated by national security expert David Kris. They are being published as OpenAI expands its collaborations with the U.S. government and allies in crucial defensive sectors like cyber and biosecurity.

OpenAI has already established 'Trusted Access for Cyber' partnerships with Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and EU institutions. A similar trusted partnership exists with the UK government for cyber testing and evaluation.

In biosecurity, OpenAI has granted expanded trusted access to its GPT‑Rosalind model for select U.S. and allied partners involved in public health and biodefense missions.

Defensive AI Focus

The principles govern current and future national security and law enforcement collaborations, including existing work with the Department of Defense. OpenAI previously outlined contractual restrictions preventing the use of its technology for mass domestic surveillance, autonomous weapons system direction, or high-stakes automated decisions.

OpenAI believes consequential questions regarding AI in national security should be addressed through democratic processes, with companies informing rather than dictating these decisions.

The company supports legislative efforts to create safeguards for high-risk AI uses in military contexts, including domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons systems.

Read the OpenAI National Security Principles.

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