OpenAI Pentagon deal triggers backlash; 1.5 million users sign up to quit ChatGPT

In a significant backlash, approximately 1.5 million users have pledged to abandon ChatGPT due to OpenAI's recent agreement to provide artificial intelligence technology to the U.S. Department of Defense. The decision, announced by OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, comes in the wake of rival company Anthropic's withdrawal from a similar contract aimed at preventing the use of AI technology for domestic surveillance and autonomous weaponry. This wave of dissent among users was sparked shortly after Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, publicly condemned the potential misuse of their technology. In response to OpenAI's move, the 'Quit GPT' campaign gained momentum online, drawing in a substantial number of individuals in protest against the collaboration. Currently, ChatGPT boasts around 900 million weekly users, highlighting the magnitude of the response to this controversy. During this upheaval, Anthropic's AI application, Claude, surged to the top of download charts, indicating a shift in user sentiment. In an attempt to address the concerns, Altman took to social media platform X to announce that OpenAI is revising its agreement with the Pentagon to clearly state that its AI models will not be utilized for domestic surveillance or by the National Security Agency. He acknowledged that the company could have managed the announcement more effectively. In an internal memo, Altman expressed the need for clarity, stating, "We are going to amend our deal to add this language, in addition to everything else." He recognized that the timing of the announcement was rushed and could have been perceived as opportunistic. Furthermore, Altman criticized the Pentagon's decision to block Anthropic from securing government contracts during the dispute, underscoring the broader debate over who should wield control over powerful AI technologies—private corporations or governmental entities. The Department of Defense defended its actions, asserting its willingness to engage in reasonable discussions, while accusing Anthropic of non-cooperation. In response, Anthropic announced plans to legally challenge the Pentagon's classification of it as a 'supply-chain risk', which could impede its access to government contracts.