OpenAI Urges Pentagon to Extend Safety Terms to All Rivals Following Anthropic Ban

In an unexpected move, OpenAI has called on the Pentagon to offer the same ethical guardrails it received to all other AI companies. CEO Sam Altman has publicly stated his desire to “de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions” like the ban on Anthropic and toward “reasonable agreements” that prioritize safety for everyone. This diplomatic gesture is seen as an attempt by OpenAI to prevent the fragmentation of the AI industry over political and ethical lines.
The request comes as OpenAI begins its first week of work under the new Pentagon contract. While OpenAI is benefiting financially from Anthropic’s exile, Altman has voiced sympathy for his rival’s safety concerns. He argued that it is in the best interest of the nation—and the world—to have a unified set of safety standards for military AI. By urging the government to adopt “OpenAI-style” guardrails for everyone, the company is positioning itself as a leader for the entire industry.
OpenAI’s contract includes specific language that prohibits the use of its models for domestic surveillance and autonomous lethal weapons. Altman believes that if the government offers these same terms to companies like Google and Anthropic, it would remove the need for “punitive measures” and allow the industry to focus on innovation. This “safety for all” approach is part of OpenAI’s broader goal to ensure that AI development remains beneficial for all of humanity.
However, the administration’s stance remains hardline. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated that the “supply chain risk” designation for Anthropic will remain in place as long as the company refuses to comply with federal demands. This has put OpenAI in the unique position of being the only major AI lab currently cleared for high-level military work, a monopoly that Altman claims he does not actually want.
As OpenAI integrates into the Department of War, it is also launching a series of “safety workshops” for government officials. These sessions are designed to educate the military on the limitations of current AI models and the importance of human oversight. By being a proactive partner in education, OpenAI is hoping to build a long-term relationship based on trust rather than just a commercial contract.