The Pentagon reportedly asked OpenAI to provide an AI that doesn't like saying no to requests

FOIA documents revealed disputed Pentagon plans for a less restrictive AI system OpenAI denied agreeing to language requiring minimal refusal rates from models A Pentagon lawyer later withdrew an earlier confirmation about the contract Documents released through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) l

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>FOIA documents revealed disputed Pentagon plans for a less restrictive AI system</strong></li><li><strong>OpenAI denied agreeing to language requiring minimal refusal rates from models</strong></li><li><strong>A Pentagon lawyer later withdrew an earlier confirmation about the contract</strong></li></ul><p>Documents released through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit reportedly revealed that the Pentagon sought out an OpenAI system with fewer restrictions.</p><p>The paperwork described models intended for national security work that would have “minimal refusal rates” during certain military applications.</p><p>OpenAI and the Pentagon have both disputed that such wording appeared in the final agreement signed between them.</p><h2 id="dispute-emerges-over-ai-restrictions-in-military-contract-documents">Dispute emerges over AI restrictions in military contract documents </h2><p>The disputed language appeared in a contract document describing work involving testing, evaluation, and improvement of OpenAI models for defense-related activities.</p><p>The document referred to specialized models created for government security uses, including systems designed to reject fewer requests during operation.</p><p>However, officials from both organizations later said the document obtained through the lawsuit was not the final contract version.</p><p>"OpenAI has never agreed to contract language requiring 'minimal refusal rates.' This language does not appear in our executed contract," said Nate Evans, an OpenAI spokesperson.</p><p>“The document you received appears to be an earlier draft proposed by the Department before we provided feedback.” </p><p>Evans added that OpenAI rejected the wording and said the final executed agreement did not contain that requirement.</p><p>A Department of Defense representative later stated that the phrase “minimal refusal rates” does not appear in any active contract.</p><p>The disagreement continued after a Pentagon lawyer initially confirmed the document before later withdrawing that statement.</p><p>Trevor Tiedeman, a Pentagon research official, said there may have been confusion between released records and executed agreements.</p><p>Tiedeman also indicated he would examine how the document passed through review procedures before becoming publicly available.</p><p>The original document was released after The Intercept requested contract records connected with military artificial intelligence agreements.</p><p>The request specifically sought completed agreements, while officials later argued the released material represented an earlier version.</p><p>OpenAI did not provide the complete contract publicly, leaving some details about the agreement unavailable for independent review.</p><h2 id="concerns-grow-over-military-ai-safeguards-and-operational-limits">Concerns grow over military AI safeguards and operational limits</h2><p>The dispute has renewed discussion about how much control technology companies should retain over artificial intelligence used by governments.</p><p>Commercial AI systems typically include restrictions designed to prevent assistance with certain harmful activities, including weapons development.</p><p>OpenAI's public chatbot, for example, refuses requests involving assistance with planning specific attacks or selecting targets for strikes.</p><p>“Minimal refusal is likely referring to little or no safeguards on the model being used,” said Heidy Khlaaf, chief scientist at the AI Now Institute.</p><p>She argued that private technology companies face difficult decisions when their systems become connected with military operations.</p><p>The Pentagon has also faced separate disagreements with other AI firms over restrictions involving defense applications.</p><p>Despite those disputes, OpenAI expanded its military agreement, allowing use of its services across classified government networks.</p><p>The updated agreement retained references to mission-focused AI models, although significant sections of the contract were redacted.</p><p>OpenAI has said its agreement includes restrictions against autonomous weapons use and certain surveillance activities involving Americans.</p><p>The company and government agencies have not fully disclosed how those restrictions would apply across different military scenarios.</p><p>Via <a href="https://theintercept.com/2026/09/08/pentagon-openai-military-contract/" target="_blank"><em>The Intercept</em></a></p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:676px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:31.51%;"><img id="diM9tpwF2Lz85R8q85CT78" name="tr-g_news" alt="Google logo on a black background next to text reading 'Click to follow TechRadar'" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/diM9tpwF2Lz85R8q85CT78.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="676" height="213" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div></figure> </article> ]]>