OpenAI announces $290 million contract with the Pentagon

On June 16, 2025, local time, OpenAI announced that it has signed a $200 million (approximately 29 billion yen) contract with the United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) . Under this contract, OpenAI will help the Department of Defense identify ways to use cutting-edge AI to transform government operations and prototype AI systems.

Introducing OpenAI for Government | OpenAI
https://openai.com/global-affairs/introducing-openai-for-government/

> US Department of Defense > Contract
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4218062/

OpenAI wins $200 million US defense contract
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/16/openai-wins-200-million-us-defense-contract.html

On June 16, OpenAI launched 'OpenAI for Government,' a new initiative focused on providing cutting-edge AI tools to public servants across the U.S. OpenAI stated, 'Our goal is to provide AI solutions that enhance the capabilities of public servants, reduce cumbersome procedures and paperwork, and enable them to focus more on their daily work: serving the American people.'

The company also announced a $200 million contract through the Department of Defense's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) as the first partnership under the OpenAI for Government initiative.

'This contract, valued at up to $200 million, will leverage OpenAI's industry-leading expertise to help the Department of Defense identify and prototype how cutting-edge AI can transform government operations, from improving how service members and their families receive healthcare, to streamlining the process of analyzing program and acquisition data, to supporting proactive cyber defense,' OpenAI said.

All use cases under this contract must comply with OpenAI's usage policies and guidelines. The contract runs for one year, ending in July 2026, and work will primarily take place in the Washington, D.C., and metropolitan area, including several counties in Maryland and Virginia.

Prior to this agreement, OpenAI announced a partnership with Anduril, a defense technology company founded by Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey, in December 2024.

It was also reported that in January 2024, the prohibition on 'weapons development' and 'military and war purposes' was removed from ChatGPT's policy.

OpenAI removes 'prohibition of use for military or war purposes' from ChatGPT policy - GIGAZINE

Just before this contract, OpenAI's competitor, Anthropic, announced 'Claude Gov,' an AI model specifically designed for the US defense and intelligence agencies. The relationship between AI developers and defense agencies is becoming increasingly close.

Anthropic launches 'Claude Gov' AI model for defense and intelligence agencies - GIGAZINE