Our approach to government and national security partnerships

OpenAI has published its National Security Principles to provide transparency regarding its approach to government partnerships and national security applications. According to the company, democratic societies should be able to use AI to protect people, defend critical infrastructure, deliver public services, and respond to threats like cyber attacks and biosecurity risks. However, OpenAI emphasizes that these systems must reinforce democratic accountability, human judgment, and the rule of law. The principles were developed through a cross-company effort facilitated by independent national security expert David Kris, incorporating feedback from listening sessions and employees across research, safety, policy, and government partnerships. OpenAI is publishing the framework as it expands its work with the U.S. government and allied partners in defensive areas. Through initiatives like the Daybreak cyber defense program, the company has established Trusted Access for Cyber partnerships with nations including Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and EU institutions like ENISA, alongside a growing partnership with the UK government. A similar approach is being taken in biosecurity, including expanded access to the GPT-Rosalind model for select U.S. and allied partners supporting public health and biodefense. These principles apply to current and future partnerships, including work with the Department of War, and align with contractual restrictions that ban using OpenAI technology for mass domestic surveillance, directing autonomous weapons systems, or making high-stakes automated decisions. OpenAI stated that consequential questions about AI in government should be decided through the democratic process rather than by companies alone, and it supports legislative efforts to establish safeguards around high-risk military uses.