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OpenAI recently announced the appointment of retired General Paul Nakasone to its board. This marks a major shift in the company's alignment toward national security issues, a development that should concern us all.
Tasked with advising on safety and security, Nakasone's influence signals a deeper integration of OpenAI's interests with those of the U.S. government. This development is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of a well-trodden path by tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, who have increasingly aligned themselves with governmental and military agendas under the guise of "security" and "keeping Americans safe."
These platforms, once lauded for their potential to democratize information and connect the world, gradually transformed into tools of surveillance and control. With OpenAI, the trajectory seems alarmingly similar.
Initially focused on cybersecurity and public safety, OpenAI's collaborations with government agencies are poised to deepen. Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems, originally intended for defensive purposes, are likely to evolve into tools for mass surveillance. Under the pretext of combating terrorism and cyber threats, these systems could monitor citizens' online activities, communications, and even predict behaviors. This encroachment into privacy will likely be justified by calls to protect national security. OpenAI will likely capitalize on its data analytics capabilities to shape public discourse. In fact, some suggest that this is already occurring.
The embrace between Big Tech and Big Government is growing tighter with each passing day.
Consider the following: A damning April 2024 Costs of War report revealed staggering figures, with U.S. military and intelligence contracts awarded to major tech firms worth at least $53 billion combined from 2019-2022. This financial windfall will likely fuel OpenAI's expansion into defense and surveillance technologies, blurring the lines between corporate profit and public interest. Interestingly, the very same month the report was published, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that he had courted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other AI leaders to join a new federal Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board. This board, filled with AI heavyweights, including the CEOs of Microsoft, Google, and IBM, brings together fierce competitors in an effort to ensure AI works in the national interest—or so we're told.
It's also important to discuss the stark reality of modern governance. Specifically, the national interest—the priorities and goals pursued by the state—often diverges from the interests of individual citizens. This discordance is evident in various policies and decisions where the broader agenda of the state may overshadow personal freedoms, economic opportunities, and social welfare. This is especially true in the sphere of national security, where the state's imperative to safeguard its borders and maintain order can lead to sweeping surveillance programs and stringent security measures.
The Revolving Door Between Tech and Government
The relationship between the United States government and Big Tech companies, particularly in terms of individuals moving between positions in government and the tech industry, has been a topic of public scrutiny and debate for many years. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "revolving door" between government and industry.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile instances of individuals moving between positions at Big Tech companies and the U.S. government, and vice versa. Executives from companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have taken on roles in the White House, federal agencies, and other government bodies. Similarly, former government officials have gone on to work for these tech giants in various capacities.
One notable example is Jay Carney, who served as White House press secretary under former President Barack Obama before joining Amazon as senior vice president of global corporate affairs from 2015 to 2022. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, has been a prominent advisor to the Department of Defense.
James Baker, a former FBI lawyer who also worked at Twitter before it became X, recently joined the National Task Force on Election Crises, which appears to have a real desire to engage in social media censorship. Specifically, censorship of very specific opinions (Baker, it's important to note, played a significant role in pushing the "Russiagate" narrative).
In recent times, OpenAI has joined companies cooperating with the U.S. military. Within the scope of this cooperation, studies on cybersecurity will be carried out with the support of AI.
Notably, ChatGPT's usage policies originally included a clause stating that it would not be used for military purposes. However, this clause has been quietly removed, with company officials claiming that the change allows for military use cases that the company deems acceptable. This shift in OpenAI's policies is a significant statement, similar to when Google quietly removed the "don't be evil" clause.
It would be naïve to think that OpenAI would not cozy up with the government. AI is set to rewrite society in every possible way, from health care and education to law enforcement and national defense.
The weaponization of AI is just beginning.
John Mac Ghlionn writes about social issues, technology, and the impact of media manipulation. Follow him @ghlionn.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
