Meta will allow U.S. national security agencies and defense contractors to use its Llama AI model.
Meta announced that it would allow U.S. national security agencies and defense contractors to use its open-source artificial intelligence model, Llama. This comes just days after Reuters reported that an older version of Llama had been used by researchers to create defense applications for the military wing of the Chinese government.
Why the exception for US agencies?
Meta’s usual policies prohibit the use of its open-source large language model for “military, warfare, nuclear industries or applications, [and] espionage.” However, the company is making an exception for U.S. agencies, contractors, and similar national security bodies in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, according to Bloomberg.
What are Meta’s views on responsible AI use?
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, wrote in a blog post that
“responsible and ethical uses of open-source AI models like Llama will not only support the prosperity and security of the United States, they will also help establish U.S. open-source standards in the global race for AI leadership.”
Which contractors are gaining access to Llama?
Among the government contractors Meta is opening Llama to are major tech and defense companies, including Amazon Web Services, Anduril, Booz Allen, Databricks, Deloitte, IBM, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Oracle, Palantir, Scale AI, and Snowflake.
Why is US AI dominance a concern?
Meta emphasized the importance of developing AI technology that surpasses China’s capabilities, a key issue in ongoing discussions about AI regulation. In Clegg’s words,
“In a world where national security is inextricably linked with economic output, innovation, and job growth, widespread adoption of American open-source AI models serves both economic and security interests.”
What happened with Chinese researchers using Llama?
Two Chinese researchers with ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) used an older version of Llama to create a chatbot for processing military intelligence. Although Meta confirmed this use was unauthorized, it highlighted the vulnerabilities in open-source AI models.
How does this decision relate to US national security?
The move aligns with U.S. regulatory goals to outpace countries like China in AI development for national security purposes. Last week, the White House released a memo outlining how AI could be harnessed to achieve national security objectives, acknowledging that
“Advances at the frontier of AI will have significant implications for national security and foreign policy.”
How have tech workers responded to defense contracts in the past?
Tech industry workers have historically opposed their companies’ involvement in military projects. For example, in 2018, Google employees protested the company’s participation in the Pentagon’s Project Maven, which uses AI to analyze drone footage. This trend of protest has continued, especially regarding collaborations with the Israeli government.
However, with the increasing demand for AI in national security, tech companies are more likely than ever to pursue these lucrative defense contracts.
